France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure

French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.

French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.

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Channel crossings
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Gina Davis
Gina Davis

Eleanor is a British historian and writer specializing in UK culture and heritage.