🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands French officials have consented to begin 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 urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage. French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements. French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians. "It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel." Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government. This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel. Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers 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 intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past. The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response. Related Developments Why Britain can't just send back migrants to French territory France withdrawing from commitment to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security