French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.
French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.
This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.
Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways 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.
Related Developments
- Reasons UK cannot just return asylum seekers to France
- French government backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats
UK immigration
Channel crossings
Border security
