🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom. This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation. French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office. That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel. Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for 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 response. Connected Updates Why UK can't just send back migrants to France French government withdrawing from commitment to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security