🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation. French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives. Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels. This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office. That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat. Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented. Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response. Connected Developments Reasons Britain can't just return migrants to French territory France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security