France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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