🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK. This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and saying 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 infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel." Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life. Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels. This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from office. That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat. Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented. Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances. The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response. Related Updates Why Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory France backing away from commitment to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security