French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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