France to begin stopping small boats in English Channel following UK pressure

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

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

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous government official left office.

That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Currently French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.