France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands

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

The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "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 authoritative confirmation.

French police have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

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

Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adapt to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.

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