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

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

The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

French police have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and individuals.

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

Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left government.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Currently French authorities will again be permitted to stop boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to evade interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.

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