France will start stopping small boats in Channel following British demands
French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.
This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.
French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Currently, a French maritime police representative says 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 possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.
This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted 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 boat.
Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.
Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.
The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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