French authorities will start intercepting small boats in Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

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

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former government official left office.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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