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French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to official statements.

French authorities have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both officers and civilians.

"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French naval police spokesperson says officers will start intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister left government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

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, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways 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 contacted for response.

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