🔗 Share this article

French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.

That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.

Connected Developments

• Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to France
• France backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats