French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel 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 officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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