France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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