France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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