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France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the UK.

This policy shift comes after the Prime Minister wrote to the French leader urging him to support the initiative and stating there currently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the maritime passage.

French security forces have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but exclusively prior to they've picked up their passengers, according to official confirmation.

French police have infrequently acted to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it is considered too great a risk to both personnel and civilians.

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

Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will start intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding lives.

Notably, the official ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which had earlier been suggested as a possible method to disable the engines of the boats.

The decision to take action at all is a major advancement, following a brief change towards a more aggressive approach this warmer season, which ceased when the previous Interior Minister departed from government.

That was highlighted in July, preceding a summit between the UK leader and French president, when French police were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the sides of a vessel.

Now French officials will again be allowed to stop boats before they collect asylum-seeking individuals from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the small boats will be stopped.

Strong winds are presently postponing the start of intervention operations and the people-smuggling gangs will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.

The Home Office and Downing Street have been contacted for comment.

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