French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands

France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure 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 preventive measure" in the Channel.

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

French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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