France will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the plan and saying 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 picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.

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

Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office.

That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adapt 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 response.

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