French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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