French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.
Significantly, the official excluded 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 major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left government.
This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.
Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.
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