France will start intercepting small boats in English Channel following UK pressure

France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.

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

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