France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Currently French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.

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