🔗 Share this article France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of pressure from the UK. This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation. French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters." Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives. Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government. This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel. Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented. Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment. Related Updates Reasons Britain cannot just send back migrants to France French government backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security