🔗 Share this article France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom. This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements. French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals. "It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives. Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels. This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from government. That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat. Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past. The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response. Connected Updates Reasons UK cannot just return asylum seekers to France French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security