France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure

French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.

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