French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in English Channel after British demands

French officials have consented to start intercepting small boats in the Channel, following an extended period of pressure from the United Kingdom.

The change in policy follows the British leader sent a letter to the French leader asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French police have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and individuals.

"It is crucial that we implement these tactics this period... We have no effective prevention in the Channel."

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

Significantly, the spokesperson excluded the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible technique to snarl the engines of the boats.

The decision to intervene at all is a significant advancement, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter approach this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from office.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and President, when French police were observed walking into the sea to slash the hulls of a boat.

Currently French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of France's north coast, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the past.

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