France will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel following UK pressure

French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the President urging him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

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

Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Currently French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

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

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