French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

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

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

Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

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

This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left government.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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