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France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."

Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

That was highlighted in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

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

The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.

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