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French officials have consented to begin intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the UK.

This policy shift follows the Prime Minister wrote to the President asking him to back the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French maritime police will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

Currently, a French naval police spokesperson says personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a significant advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be permitted to intercept boats prior to they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

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

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