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

France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any 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 authoritative confirmation.

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

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

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which ceased when the former government official left government.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed wading 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 individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.

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