French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.
Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.
This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.
Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.
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UK immigration
Channel crossings
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