French authorities 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 comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.

French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."

Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.

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