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

This policy shift comes after the British leader wrote to the President asking him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.

French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've collected their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French authorities have rarely intervened to prevent the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as too great a danger to both personnel and individuals.

"It is essential that we implement these methods this month... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel waters."

Now, a French maritime police representative states personnel will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.

Significantly, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been reported as a possible method to disable the propellers of the boats.

This determination to intervene at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief change towards a stricter strategy this summer, which dropped off when the previous government official departed from government.

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

Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the coastal areas of France's north coast, however it's not clear how the small boats will be prevented.

Strong winds are currently delaying the commencement of intervention operations and the human trafficking networks will be seeking methods to adjust to avoid detection, as they have done so often in the previous instances.

The Home Office and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.

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• France withdrawing from commitment to stop migrant boats