🔗 Share this article French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom. This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel. French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation. French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals. "It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel." Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life. Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats. The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office. This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat. Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented. Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past. The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment. Related Developments Why Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory French government backing away from pledge to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security