France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy 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 maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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