French authorities to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands

France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no 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 authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.

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

Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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