French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive 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 President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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