France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to evade interception, 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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