🔗 Share this article French authorities will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom. This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements. French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel." Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the vessels. The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government. This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel. Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented. Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response. Connected Updates Reasons UK can't just send back migrants to France France withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security