French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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