France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure

French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" 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 passengers, according to official statements.

French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.

"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.

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