🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK. This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel. French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements. French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life. Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government. This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat. Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented. Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response. Related Developments Why Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to French territory French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security