French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline 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."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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