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French officials have consented to start 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 urging him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

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

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, following a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister left office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Now French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up migrant individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the human trafficking gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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