French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" 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 official confirmation.

French police have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.

"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out 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 intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left government.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for response.

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