French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former 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 observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways 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 response.
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