French police are set to start intervening to stop small boats before passengers board them, it is believed, after Keir Starmer pleaded with Emmanuel Macron to act

France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel after Keir Starmer warned the UK has "no effective deterrent" in the sea.

In a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, which was leaked to French media, the PM said it was "essential" that French police intervene to stop overcrowded boats. Security forces will be able to stop small boats at sea before they pick up passengers, the BBC reports.

According to Le Monde, Mr Starmer wrote to Mr Macron stating: "It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel." READ MORE : Minister defends watering do

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