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France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

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

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats before 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.

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

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

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