French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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