Navy may patrol British waters in event of no-deal Brexit

The UK will have four Royal Navy boats on standby to prevent European fishing vessels from operating in its waters in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it has been revealed.

The 80-metre-long ships would patrol Britain’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which covers an area up to 200 miles from the coast.

The vessels, which are armed with machine guns, would be able to stop, search and impound trawlers fishing without permission in the EEZ, according to the Guardian.

A navy source told the paper that firearms would only be used if life was at risk. “Nobody is going to be firing warning shots against French fishermen; firearms are only used when there is danger to life,” they said.