French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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