🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK. The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel. French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements. French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel." Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life. Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels. The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office. That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat. Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented. Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response. Connected Updates Why UK can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory France withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security