French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
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 boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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