France will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no 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 migrants, according to official statements.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.

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

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to disable the engines of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

Related Developments

• Why UK can't just send back migrants to France
• French government withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats