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French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and saying there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their migrants, according to official statements.

French police have infrequently intervened to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a danger to both officers and individuals.

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

Now, a French naval police spokesperson states personnel will start taking action at sea, with the objective of protecting lives.

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

This determination to take action 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.

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

Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, although it's not clear how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the previous instances.

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

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