France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique 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 warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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