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

The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

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

Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the former government official departed from government.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Now French authorities will once more be permitted 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 prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been approached for response.

Connected Developments

• Reasons Britain cannot just send back migrants to French territory
• France withdrawing from commitment to intercept migrant boats