French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.
This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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