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

French officials have consented to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.

"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention 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 official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a significant step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

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