France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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