French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands

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

The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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