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French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these methods this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the objective of safeguarding lives.

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

This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

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

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