French authorities will start stopping migrant vessels in Channel after British demands

France has agreed to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.

The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept 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 overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.

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