Up to 100 more migrants arrive in UK including 20 who land boat on Kent beach as people smugglers make most of improving weather conditions after 113 made crossing on Monday
- Around 60 people, including a baby, intercepted by Border Force this morning
- Home Office also confirmed 113 migrants detained in seven incidents on Monday
- Figure for last two days surpasses the total for the previous 18 days combined
- Comes as Britain enjoys good weather conditions with low Channel winds
Around 100 migrants including a young child are thought to have crossed the Channel by small boats through foggy conditions so far today.
Border Force intercepted several groups who made the treacherous crossing throughout the morning as people smugglers took advantage of improving weather conditions.
The estimated figure includes a group of around 20 who managed to land their vessel on the beach at Dungeness, Kent.
Kent Police officers were seen standing next to the migrants who were sat on the ground wrapped in foil blankets.
It comes after the Home Office confirmed 113 migrants were detained on Monday in seven incidents, making it April’s busiest day so far.
Poor weather has scuppered people smuggling tactics this month with 161 migrants arriving up to April 18, comparatively low to the 831 arrivals in March.
But conditions have improved over the last few days with Britain under an area of high pressure that has kept conditions at sea calmer.
Another 60 migrants including a young child have arrived in Dover after making the most of improving weather conditions
Border Force intercepted around 60 people making the treacherous journey across the Channel and brought them into Kent this morning
Another crossing was intercepted shortly before 9am. A baby, teenagers and women were seen onboard the Border Force cutter Hunter
A spokesman for the force said: ‘Kent Police assisted Border Force after a report of suspected migrants near New Romney at 10.55am on Tuesday April 20 2021.’
More migrants continued to be brought into Dover Marina, Kent on the back of Border Force vessels throughout the afternoon.
A baby girl in a red woolly hat and polka dot one-piece was heard crying before officers wrapped her up in a warm blanket.
The figure for the last two days surpasses the total for the previous 18 days combined, and more migrants are expected to reach UK shores later on today.
The first group today attempted to cross the world’s busiest shipping route under the cover of darkness and were rescued at around 2am.
Another crossing was intercepted shortly before 9am. A baby, teenagers and women were seen onboard the Border Force cutter Hunter.
The Home Office said that more than 2,000 people have been prevented from making dangerous crossings so far
The group of men and a few woman wore red life jackets and face coverings as they were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement officers for processing
Another crossing was intercepted shortly before 9am. A baby, teenagers and women were seen onboard the Border Force cutter Hunter
The Home Office has not yet confirmed how many migrants have been intercepted today
The group wore red life jackets and face coverings as they were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement officers for processing.
Their two large rigid hulled inflatable boats, which appeared to be flimsy and poorly constructed, remain moored at the harbour.
The Home Office has not yet confirmed how many migrants have been intercepted today.
Monday’s crossings mean 274 migrants have made the perilous 21-mile journey in 17 boats in April so far, taking the total to arrive so far this year to at least 1,636
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘Our New Plan for Immigration will break the business model of people smugglers who put lives at risk by facilitating dangerous journeys into the UK and overhaul our broken asylum system’
Monday’s crossings mean 274 migrants have made the perilous 21-mile journey in 17 boats in April so far, taking the total to arrive so far this year to at least 1,636.
A Home Office spokesperson said on Monday night: ‘More than 2,000 people have been prevented from making dangerous crossings so far this year thanks to close work with France and we have also secured more than 60 small boat related prosecutions since the start of 2020.
‘This is a significant challenge and there is more work to be done.
‘Our New Plan for Immigration will break the business model of people smugglers who put lives at risk by facilitating dangerous journeys into the UK and overhaul our broken asylum system.’