France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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