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French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.

The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister sent a letter to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there currently "have no effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a risk to both officers and individuals.

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

Now, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official left government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Currently French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they collect migrant individuals from the beaches of northern France, although it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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