France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.
This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"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 officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left office.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.
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