French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following British demands
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 President asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
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