France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid 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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