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

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

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely acted to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.

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

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the objective of protecting human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous government official departed from government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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