French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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