🔗 Share this article French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK. The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements. French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters." Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life. Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats. The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office. That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat. Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances. The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response. Connected Developments Why UK can't just return migrants to French territory French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security