Dozens of migrants found crossing the English Channel as temperatures hit 29C – as number of asylum seekers arriving in the UK this year tops 21,000
- Groups of mainly men were seen on Border Force vessels Hurricane and Ranger
Dozens of migrants were intercepted crossing the English Channel in small boats today as temperatures hit 29C with the number making the treacherous voyage reaching more than 21,000 so far this year.
Groups of mainly men were seen on board the Border Force vessels Hurricane and Ranger as they were brought into the harbour at the Port of Dover this morning.
Many were wearing red life jackets as they were brought into the immigration processing centre at the former jetfoil terminal at the port.
It comes after the Home Office revealed that 113 migrants were picked up at sea packed into just two dinghies on Sunday.
On Saturday 872 migrants were rescued in 15 dinghies – a record day so far this year – with an average of 58 on board each flimsy inflatable.
A group of people thought to be migrants are driven away from the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent
Dozens of migrants were intercepted crossing the English Channel in small boats today
Groups of mainly men were seen on board the Border Force vessels Hurricane and Ranger as they were brought into the harbour at the Port of Dover this morning
In the past four weeks, more than 6,000 arrivals have been recorded, PA news agency analysis of the Government figures shows.
According to official government figures a total of 21,086 have been intercepted making the crossing in 436 boats with the figures for today yet to be confirmed.
In August alone 5,369 made the voyage in 102 boats.
In 2022 there were a record 45,755 migrants detained compared to 28,526 in 2021 and 8,410 in 2020.
The Home Office spokesperson said: ‘The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system.
‘Our priority is to stop the boats, and our Small Boats Operational Command is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.
‘The government is going even further through our Illegal Migration Act which will mean that people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.’
A group of people thought to be migrants are driven away from the Border Force compound in Dover
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