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Today more suspicious migrants have been detected in Dover as the huge increase in crossings continues since the blockade was imposed.
Images taken at the busy commercial port of Kent show that around 10 people wearing face masks are being processed by officials.
It comes after a record 150 immigrants were picked up trying to cross the English Channel yesterday from 10 ships in the 24-hour span, including 50 on one ship.
Border Force officers, pictured, prepare to take men believed to be immigrants to the coast in Dover
Border Force agents prosecute a man believed to be a migrant, pictured, after being taken to shore
A humanitarian charity said it is “not surprising” that so many people risk their lives to cross the dangerous Dover Strait due to “dire conditions” in the French refugee camps.
The Home Office has yet to confirm how many immigrants were brought to the UK today or yesterday.
A humanitarian charity said it is not surprising that so many people risk their lives to cross the dangerous Dover Strait due to “dire conditions” in the French refugee camps.
Despite widely released figures, the Home Office has yet to formally confirm how many immigrants were brought to the UK on any of the days.
The department has only confirmed that “the Border Force is dealing with a series of ongoing incidents of small boats off the Kent coast” on Saturday.
In the early hours of Saturday, French authorities were alerted to a migrant boat and intercepted 16 migrants.
They included five women and a child, and were taken to Dunkirk.
Earlier this week, Home Secretary Priti Patel acknowledged that a recent increase in the number of migrant boats making the dangerous crossing of the English Channel is related to the Covid-19 blockade.
Men thought to be migrants, left and right, were seen today in Dover, Kent.
Ms Patel has presented a new plan that would see more ships returned to France.
Currently, migrants are escorted to British ports if they reach our maritime territory, but authorities believe it would undermine human trafficking gangs if ships are returned to the other side of the Canal.
The Home Secretary’s plan would also see the British taxpayer funding more patrols on the French coast.
Since the closure was announced in Britain on March 23, at least 609 migrants have been intercepted by UK authorities and brought ashore, according to data compiled by the AP news agency.
This is more than half of the total total for 2020, which represents at least 987.
These figures do not include crosses on Friday or Saturday, which the Interior Ministry has so far refused to disclose.
Since the closure was announced in Britain on March 23, at least 609 migrants have been intercepted by UK authorities and taken ashore.
Today’s incident, pictured, follows reports of another large influx of migrants to Britain yesterday
Border Force agents speak to a suspected migrant, pictured wearing a face mask and wrapped in a blanket.
Clare Moseley, founder of the charity Care4Calais, said: ‘It is no wonder that people living in France’s refugee camps are desperate to make this dangerous crossing, given the dire conditions they face there.
‘The coronavirus has worsened a serious, life-threatening situation. People are pressured in small areas, they cannot distance themselves socially, and the support they trusted to survive is dramatically reduced.
‘These people are fleeing terrifying situations in some of the most dangerous parts of the world. They are targeting the UK because they want to be safe.
‘Many have family or other connections, and others know our language and want to integrate and contribute.
“Now more than ever, we have to give them a safe and humane way to have their asylum claims heard fairly, that’s the way to end dangerous and chaotic canal crossings once and for all.”
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke, in the photo, said she has been calling the Home Secretary to ensure small boats are returned to France.
Tory Deputy for Dover and Deal Natalie Elphicke tweeted yesterday: “ Today’s illegal crossings while celebrating # VEDay75 is another reminder of why strong action is needed to stop ruthless smuggling gangs and return ships to France.
‘Since December, I have called on the Home Secretary to ensure that small boats are returned to France and to end these illegal small boat crossings organized by criminal gangs.
‘The Minister of the Interior has listened and has taken action.
‘This week he agreed on new steps with France with tighter patrols and working to return.
‘Along with action to deal with criminal gangs. I very much appreciate this action and your commitment to end small boat crossings.
“Only when migrants and traffickers know that they will not be able to enter Britain in this way, will these dangerous journeys cease.”
