France to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.

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