France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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