French authorities to begin intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure

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

The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

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

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left government.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Currently French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

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

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