French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the 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 initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.

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

"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

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

Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.

That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.

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