French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
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 hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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