🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after British demands France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom. This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage. French maritime police 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 rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life. Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats. The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government. That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel. Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped. Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment. Related Updates Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory French government backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security