France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK. The change, confirmed after a letter from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to President Emmanuel Macron, allows French maritime police to stop boats at sea before they reach passengers on shore. The move marks a shift from earlier reluctance due to policing rules and safety concerns.
The BBC notes that the intercepts are to safeguard lives, and the plan excludes nets previously discussed as a tactic. Wind conditions are delaying the start, and smugglers are already adapting. A UK spokesperson said cooperation continues and officers will review tactics to operate in shallow waters. Le Monde reported the letter said: “It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month… We have no effective deterrent in the Channel.” The shift, initially pushed by former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, signals a renewed willingness to confront migrant-smuggling at sea and tighter border control for both France and the EU
