French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands

France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.

French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."

Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.

This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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