French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
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 confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.
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