France to begin stopping small boats in Channel after UK pressure

France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Now, a French naval police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for comment.

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