French authorities to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure

France has agreed to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.

French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.

This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are presently 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.

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