🔗 Share this article France will start stopping small boats in Channel after British demands French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK. The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements. French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals. "It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel." Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives. Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office. That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat. Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped. Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances. The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response. Related Developments Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security