France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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