French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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