French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

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

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Currently French authorities will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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