France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

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

French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded 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 zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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