France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands

France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.

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

Now, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.

Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks 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.

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