France to begin stopping small boats in Channel following UK pressure

French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

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

French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.

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

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

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from office.

That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

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

Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.

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

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