France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

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

Now, a French naval police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

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

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