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French officials have consented to start stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, after months of pressure from the UK.

The change in policy follows the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader asking him to support the plan and saying there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

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

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the overcrowded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.

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

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

Significantly, the official excluded the use of nets to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the propellers of the vessels.

The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this summer, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from government.

This was demonstrated in the summer month, preceding a meeting between the Prime Minister and French president, when French police were observed walking into the sea to damage the hulls of a boat.

Currently French officials will once more be permitted to intercept boats before they pick up migrant individuals from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.

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

UK immigration authorities and Downing Street have been approached for comment.

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