France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.

Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left office.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.

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

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

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