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

France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.

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

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

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister left office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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