French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following 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 French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" 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 police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding 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 pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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