French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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