French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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