🔗 Share this article French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom. The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel. French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official statements. French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives. Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats. This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office. This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat. Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped. Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment. Related Updates Why UK cannot just send back asylum seekers to France France backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security