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France has agreed to begin 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 sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French security forces have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their migrants, according to authoritative statements.

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

"It is crucial that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police representative says personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of protecting human life.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a short-lived shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French authorities will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are presently delaying the start 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 Downing Street have been approached for response.

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