France will start stopping migrant vessels in English Channel following British demands

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

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding human life.

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

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.

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

Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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