France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure

France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

Currently, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

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

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

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