French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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