France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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