France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister 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 witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels 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 detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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