French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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