The French authorities have halted small boats at sea in the Channel on 10 occasions since the spring, officials said on Friday. The disclosure comes as political parties are once again attempting to seize the initiative over small boats over the summer. “I know personally how tirelessly French officers have been working to disrupt launches before they reach UK shores. On Sunday, when Andy Burnham visited HM Coastguard in Dover, Border Force officers had been warned that it was a “red day”, when conditions were calm enough for several small boat crossings. Two small boats attempted to launch from France, but one was intercepted at sea, while the other was halted on land.