France plans to begin intercepting small boats at sea, says UK Home Office

French authorities escorting a small boat last week. Current guidelines prevent French border police intervening offshore except to rescue people. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The French government plans to begin intercepting small boats carrying asylum seekers even if they are already at sea, a Home Office source has said.

In a move that NGOs claim will endanger lives, it was claimed that French officials agreed this week to draw up plans to begin intervening in waters close to beaches and inland canals.