🔗 Share this article France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom. The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel. French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements. French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives. Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats. The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government. This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat. Now French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped. Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response. Related Updates Why Britain cannot just send back asylum seekers to France France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security