France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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