French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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