France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities 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 small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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