🔗 Share this article France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK. The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter 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 will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements. French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel." Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats. The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office. That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat. Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment. Related Updates Reasons UK can't just return migrants to France French government backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security