France will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure

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

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.

"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel waters."

Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the official excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.

The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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