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France has agreed to begin stopping small boats in the English Channel, following months of pressure from the United Kingdom.

This policy shift follows the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there currently "lack any effective deterrent" in the Channel.

French security forces will be allowed to intercept the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their passengers, according to official statements.

French police have infrequently intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats leaving the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

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

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

Significantly, the spokesperson ruled out the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had previously been reported as a potential technique to disable the propellers of the boats.

This determination to take action at all is a major advancement, coming after a brief shift towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which dropped off when the former Interior Minister departed from office.

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

Now French officials will again be allowed to intercept boats prior to they collect migrant passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's not clear how the vessels will be stopped.

Strong winds are currently postponing the commencement of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adapt to avoid interception, 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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