🔗 Share this article French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements. French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives. Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels. The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left government. This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat. Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped. Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment. Connected Updates Why UK cannot just send back asylum seekers to France French government backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security