🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel. French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation. French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians. "It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels. The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office. That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel. Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped. Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response. Related Updates Why Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory France withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security