France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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