🔗 Share this article France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements. French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives. Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels. This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government. That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel. Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped. Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response. Related Updates Why UK can't just return migrants to France French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security