French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

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

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

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

This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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