French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action 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 intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.
That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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