France will start intercepting small boats in Channel after UK pressure

France has agreed to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader 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 maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

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 tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."

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

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official left office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.