France will start stopping small boats in Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.

French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.

This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the past.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.

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