France to begin stopping migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands

France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after months of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Currently, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous government official left office.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

Currently French officials will again be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for response.