🔗 Share this article France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom. This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel. French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation. French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters." Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives. Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats. The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left government. This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat. Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented. Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment. Related Developments Why UK can't just send back migrants to French territory French government backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security