PEOPLE traffickers have sneaked 540 migrants across the Channel so far this year — already breaking last year’s record annual figure.
And with more than six months of 2019 left it suggests last year’s entire tally of 539 will be at least doubled.
People smugglers are approaching migrants in Calais every day with an offer to take them to England in boats for a £4,000 fee.
There are around 1,200 would-be migrants living in makeshift tent villages in woodland on the outskirts of the port.
Iranian welder Ali Zarei, 34, said: “They come nearly every day to say they have a boat, we just have to give them the money.
“I do not have it yet but I have a house in Iran which I am selling, and I will be sent the money. Then I will try.
“I want to go to England because it is safe. I cannot go home because I do not believe in my religion any more.”
French police, who keep checks on the number of migrants waiting to cross the Channel, have calculated that 540 have gone this year.
On Wednesday 19 were rescued off Calais in rough seas.
AN Afghan asylum seeker, 18, who was about to be booted out of the UK for falsely saying the Taliban wanted to kill him has won the right to have his case reheard.
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