🔗 Share this article France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK. This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements. French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals. "It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives. Notably, the official excluded 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, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office. That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel. Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped. Strong winds are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment. Connected Updates Why UK cannot just send back migrants to France French government backing away from commitment to stop migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security