French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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- Why UK can't just return migrants to France
- French government backing away from pledge to intercept asylum boats
UK immigration
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