France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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