France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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