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

This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support 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 exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French police have infrequently acted to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both personnel and individuals.

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

Currently, a French maritime police spokesperson says officers will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.

Notably, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to disable the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief change towards a stricter approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.

That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French authorities will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to evade interception, as they have done so often in the past.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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