France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure

France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is crucial 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 safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

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

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