French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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