π Share this article French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel after British demands France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK. The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage. French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation. French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians. "It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters." Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives. Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats. This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official left office. This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat. Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented. Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past. UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment. Related Developments Why Britain can't just send back asylum seekers to France France withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats UK immigration Channel crossings Border security