🔗 Share this article

France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.

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

Connected Updates

• Why Britain cannot just return migrants to French territory
• France backing away from commitment to stop asylum boats