🔗 Share this article France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after British demands French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK. The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation. French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life. Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats. This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy 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 UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat. Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment. Connected Developments Reasons Britain can't just return asylum seekers to France France withdrawing from commitment to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security