France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French naval police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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