France to Intercept Migrant Boats Earlier Under New Channel Rules

France has authorized its maritime police to intercept migrant boats before passengers board, according to a confidential policy document. The newspaper *Le Monde* reported the new rules, which signify a major change in how France patrols the English Channel. Previously, French authorities typically intervened only after boats had entered the water with migrants aboard. The updated procedures allow officers to stop inflatable vessels on beaches or at sea prior to boarding. This operational shift comes as the French government faces sustained pressure from the United Kingdom. British officials have repeatedly called for stronger French action to stop irregular Channel crossings by migrants seeking to reach England. The goal of the new measures is to prevent departures at an earlier stage. French maritime law enforcement will now have broader authority to seize boats and equipment on land and in coastal waters.