🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom. This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation. French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters." Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life. Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels. The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office. This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat. Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past. The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment. Related Updates Why UK can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory French government backing away from pledge to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security