France agrees to begin intercepting small boats

FRANCE has agreed tactics to intercept small boats in the Channel, according to reports.

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Le Monde said the policy change follows a letter sent by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to French president Emmanuel Macron urging “it is essential that we deploy tactics this month” and “we have no effective deterrent in the Channel”.

France previously said it would review its maritime rules to allow police to intervene when boats are in shallow water, rather than requiring them still to be on land.

But the change appeared to have stalled and UK border security commander Martin Hewitt told MPs last month it was “frustrating” it had taken time to bring in the rules.

A No 10 spokesman said: “As you know, we never comment on reported leaks of private correspondence.