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French officials have consented to start stopping small boats in the Channel, after an extended period of insistence from the UK.

The change in policy follows the British leader wrote to the French leader asking him to support the initiative and saying there presently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is considered too great a risk to both officers and individuals.

"It is essential that we deploy these tactics this period... We have zero effective deterrent in the Channel."

Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will begin taking action at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential technique to disable the engines of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former government official departed from government.

This was demonstrated in July, preceding a meeting between the UK leader and French president, when authorities were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be permitted to intercept 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 prevented.

Strong winds are presently postponing the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the past.

UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been contacted for response.

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