French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel following UK pressure

French officials have consented to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the President urging him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have infrequently acted to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Currently, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the sides of a boat.

Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they collect migrant passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking gangs will be seeking methods to adjust to evade detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.