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

France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.

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

Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.

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