🔗 Share this article French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK. The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements. French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great 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." Currently, a French maritime 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 intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office. That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel. Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented. Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances. The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response. Related Developments Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security