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French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected 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 danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Now, a French maritime police representative states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a possible method to snarl the engines of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a meeting between the UK leader and President, when French police were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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