🔗 Share this article French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK. This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any 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 passengers, according to official statements. French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals. "It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life. Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats. This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government. That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat. Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented. Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response. Related Developments Reasons UK cannot just return migrants to France French government withdrawing from commitment to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security