France to begin stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands

France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is essential that we implement these tactics this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."

Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.

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

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.