French authorities will start stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure

France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.

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

Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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