🔗 Share this article French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation. French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel." Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives. Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats. This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office. This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat. Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped. Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response. Related Updates Reasons Britain cannot just send back migrants to French territory France withdrawing from pledge to stop migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security