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French officials have consented to start intercepting migrant vessels in the English Channel, following months of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister sent a letter to the President asking him to back the plan and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the maritime passage.

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

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered excessively high a danger to both officers and civilians.

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

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

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a possible technique to disable the engines of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a major step forward, following a brief shift towards a stricter approach this summer, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of France's north coast, although it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Powerful gusts are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have frequently done in the past.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for response.

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• Reasons Britain can't just send back asylum seekers to French territory
• France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats