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

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French police have infrequently intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.

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

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

Notably, the spokesperson excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential method to snarl the propellers of the boats.

The decision to intervene at all is a major advancement, following a short-lived shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

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

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.

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

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