France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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