French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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