French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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