French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.

"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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