France to begin intercepting small boats in English Channel after UK pressure

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

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.

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

Currently, a French maritime police representative says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to snarl the engines of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous government official left office.

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

Currently French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be seeking methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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