🔗 Share this article

French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left government.

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

Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

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

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.

Related Updates

• Reasons Britain cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory
• French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats