France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline 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 no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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