French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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