French authorities to begin stopping small boats in Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the initiative and saying 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 authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."

Now, a French naval police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.

That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

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