đź”— Share this article French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom. The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage. French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official statements. French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians. "It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police representative states officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels. The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government. That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat. Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped. Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances. The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response. Connected Updates Reasons UK cannot just return migrants to French territory French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security