🔗 Share this article France will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK. The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements. French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel." Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life. Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl 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 summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government. This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel. Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped. Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response. Connected Developments Reasons Britain cannot just return migrants to France French government withdrawing from pledge to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security