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

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

This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

French police have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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