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France has agreed to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police will be allowed to stop the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both personnel and civilians.

"It is essential that we implement these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

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

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a potential method to snarl the engines of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the previous Interior Minister departed from office.

That was highlighted in July, preceding 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 authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

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

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

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