France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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