French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

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

Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive 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 UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

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

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

Related Updates

• Reasons UK cannot just return asylum seekers to French territory
• French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats