French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following British demands

French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.

The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there presently "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 migrants, according to official confirmation.

French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both officers and civilians.

"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

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

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

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

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

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