France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any 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 collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt 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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