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

France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

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

French police have rarely acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

Currently, a French naval police representative says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for response.

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