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France has agreed to start stopping small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "have no effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.

French police have rarely acted to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Now, a French naval police representative states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive approach this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister left office.

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

Now French officials will once more be allowed to stop boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Powerful gusts are presently delaying the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, 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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