French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure
French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.
French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.
French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.
"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.
That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.
Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.
Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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