🔗 Share this article France will start stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements. French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals. "It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats. This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office. That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat. Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped. Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response. Related Updates Why UK cannot just send back migrants to France France backing away from commitment to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security