Record 202 migrants cross the Channel in a single day: New high as groups including five children are caught sailing from France despite Priti Patel’s vow to slash numbers
- At least 202 migrants managed to cross to Britain, travelling across in 20 boats
- Five of the migrants to make the crossing were children, the Home Office says
- It is a new daily high after 200 people tried to make the same crossing on July 12
At least 202 migrants, including five children, were caught crossing from France into Britain today, reaching a new daily high – just weeks after the previous one was set and Priti Patel vowed to slash numbers.
The Home Office has confirmed a surge of around 20 boats made it across the Channel onto Britain’s shores from the early hours of this morning.
French authorities also intercepted another boat, carrying around 20 migrants, which had started to take on water.
Migrants were seen gathering on the coast of Dover after they were caught trying to cross the Channel from France on Thursday
Among 202 migrants caught making the crossing were five children, who have been passed on to the proper authorities
On July 12 around 200 people tried to make the perilous journey in 15 vessels, which marked a new high for the number of migrant crossings in a single day.
Today’s tally has overtaken that figure.
The Home Office said the number of crossings from the continent is ‘unacceptably high’.
French authorities intercepted around 20 migrants in a boat that was taking on water in the English Channel earlier today
Home Office and Border Force officials were in Dover today after at least 20 boats tried to cross the English Channel
More than 1,000 migrants have successfully made the crossing in July alone, as warm weather has opened a window of opportunity for people smugglers to organise perilous voyages
More than 1,000 migrants have successfully made the crossing in July alone.
Warm weather has made for calm conditions on the waters between England and France, creating a window of opportunity for people smugglers across the Channel.
Earlier this month a source told The Sun: ‘Many migrants see it as a “now or never” moment before the UK government cracks down on crossings.
‘They fear there will be a major push to curb the attempts and see July as their best opportunity.’
At least 202 migrants were caught crossing into Britain today, just weeks after 200 others tried to make the same voyage
The first migrants were seen arriving at St Margaret’s in Cliffe, Dover early on Thursday morning
Hundreds of migrants have been arriving in the UK in small boats every month, even with Britain being under coronavirus lockdown.
Home Secretary Priti Patel was in Calais on the same day 200 migrants tried to travel into Britain, to discuss a clampdown on illegal crossings with her French counterpart.
She said: ‘Despite all of the action taken by law enforcement to date – intercepting the boats, making arrests, returning people to France and putting the criminals responsible behind bars – the numbers continue to increase.
‘This simply cannot be allowed to go on.’
A Home Office source revealed Ms Patel was ‘incredibly unhappy with the number of small boats,’ trying to sail into Britain.
On July 12 she pledged a new agreement with France would ‘crack down on the gangs behind this vile people smuggling operation.’