ARMED French police are being deployed on cross-Channel ferry services to and from Poole following a spate of terrorist attacks in Europe.

In an exercise on Monday, armed officers arrived on board a ferry travelling from Portsmouth to Caen.

Half-way through the crossing, three French sea marshals wearing full military kit landed on the ship by helicopter as it approached French waters.

Announcements in English and French alerted up to 800 passengers that they were in the middle of a security exercise. The marshals patrolled the ship and carried out other security measures.

Talks about French officers patrolling for full crossings are understood to be ongoing between the UK and French governments.

Discussions are likely to cover the questions of how the measures would work, and what powers the guards would have, when ferries cross into UK territorial waters.

The development follows a number of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris and Nice. Last month there were long delays on the approach to Dover in Kent after extra French security checks were put in place.

A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries said: “Armed sea marshals will be part of the security framework on all French-flagged ferries.

“They will be deployed regularly on services to and from our ports of departure, Plymouth, Poole, and Portsmouth.”

He added: “We are not clear yet on whether the sea marshals will be overt or covert – in other words, whether they will follow this week’s earlier exercises and be armed and in full uniform. Or whether some – or all – will travel incognito, as one might find on an international flight to the United States.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, has welcomed the new security measures being implemented while France is on its highest level of security alert.

He said: “Sadly it’s a sign of our changing times. The USA and other countries have done this on scheduled air flights for many years.

“I welcome this initiative, which can only help keep the travelling public on the Channel safer.”

This week he spoke out about security fears at small ports such as Poole after they were raised by the Home Affairs Select Committee.

He has urged the government to make a commitment to improve the existing security measures.

At this time, French police can only land on French-registered, or ‘French-flagged’, ships and on ships that are in French waters.

It is not yet clear whether this will be extended to include non-French vessels, such as UK-flagged ferries arriving in France.

The Home Office said security plans were “under constant review”.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns also welcomes armed police presence on ferries “as long as it is not intrusive and adds to a feeling of security”.

“As the commander of the Metropolitan police has made clear, it’s not a question of if but when we face a terrorist attack in the UK. Things like ferries, trains, and the underground service are soft targets and are difficult to make totally secure.

“Any preventative measures that can be taken to minimise the chances of a terrorist attack are welcomed.”