French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after UK pressure

France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

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

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

Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.

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

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking 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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