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

French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

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

French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.

"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."

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

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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