🔗 Share this article France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK. This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements. French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives. Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels. The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office. This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel. Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented. Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment. Related Developments Reasons UK cannot just send back migrants to France France withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security