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

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

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.

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

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

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will start taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Currently French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

Related Updates

• Reasons UK can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory
• France withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats