🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements. French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians. "It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel." Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life. Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats. This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office. This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat. Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped. Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response. Connected Updates Why Britain cannot just send back migrants to French territory French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security