France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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