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

French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

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

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both officers and civilians.

"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.

That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.