🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after 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 back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements. French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals. "It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters." Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life. Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office. That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat. Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented. Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past. The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment. Connected Updates Reasons UK can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory France withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security