France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.
Related Updates
- Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory
- French government withdrawing from commitment to stop asylum boats
