France to begin intercepting small boats in Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

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

French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

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

Now, a French naval police representative says officers will start taking action at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former government official left government.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are presently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

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