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French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.

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

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

Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the propellers of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the sides of a vessel.

Currently French officials will once more be allowed to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, although it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.

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

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