French sea marshals to form armed patrols on Channel ferries in bid to prevent ISIS attacks in UK waters

ARMED sea marshals will soon patrol Channel ferries in UK waters for the first time to combat ISIS attacks.

French and British officials are close to signing a deal allowing elite guards with guns on vessels bound for our ports.

The French plain-clothed teams are expected to start within weeks and have already carried out secret trial runs, The Sun understands.

They will operate only on French-run ferries — and there are no plans for a UK sea marshal force.

The guards have been operating aboard boats in French and international waters since August.

But the move would mean they could open fire to combat terror in British territorial waters, which reach out 12 miles from the UK coast.

Last night a French source told The Sun: “A deal is close. France hopes its sea marshal units will begin operations in UK waters as soon as possible.

“Both countries recognise the threats posed by Islamic terrorism. This is a natural and strong response to protect citizens.”

It is not yet clear if the gun guards could leave the ferries after they dock at UK ports such as Dover, Portsmouth or Newhaven.

Government officials are expected to sign the “memorandum of understanding” within weeks.

The French are said to be keen to press ahead urgently as they step up their response to last year’s Paris attacks.