French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure

French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and civilians.

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

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

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

This determination to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left office.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.

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

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