France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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