🔗 Share this article France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom. This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation. French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians. "It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel." Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life. Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats. This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government. That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel. Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented. Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past. The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment. Related Updates Reasons UK cannot just return asylum seekers to France French government backing away from pledge to stop asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security