French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to 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 considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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