French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure

France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to back the plan and saying there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

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

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

"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Currently, a French naval police representative says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested 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 brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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