🔗 Share this article French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom. The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage. French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements. French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels. The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office. That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat. Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect 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 currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment. Connected Developments Reasons Britain can't just send back migrants to French territory France withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security