French authorities to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after UK pressure

French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

French police have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

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

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official left office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid detection, 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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