French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.
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