🔗 Share this article France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK. This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation. French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel." Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life. Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels. The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government. This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel. Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented. Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past. UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment. Related Updates Reasons Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory French government withdrawing from pledge to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security