France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any 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 collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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