🔗 Share this article France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after UK pressure French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom. The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage. French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements. French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals. "It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives. Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels. This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left government. This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat. Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented. Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment. Related Updates Why Britain can't just send back migrants to French territory France backing away from commitment to intercept asylum boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security