France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure

France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" 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 passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.

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

Currently, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying 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 Downing Street have been contacted for response.

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