🔗 Share this article French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom. The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation. French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives. Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats. The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office. This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel. Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past. The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response. Related Updates Reasons UK cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security