French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid 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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