Another 28 migrants are caught by Border Force in the English Channel trying to get to UK
- Some 28 migrants were today detained trying to cross the English Channel
- They were brought into Dover Harbour on an HM Border Force cutter today
- Officers were pictured in white forensic-style suits with Border Force vests
Border Force officers detained 28 migrants today after they intercepted two small boats trying to cross the English Channel to the UK – the first since heavy storms battered the country.
A number of migrants were seen being brought in to Dover Harbour on an HM Border Force cutter today.
Officers were pictured in white forensic-style suits with Border Force vests over the top.
Border Force officers detained 28 migrants today after they intercepted two small boats trying to cross the English Channel to the UK – the first since heavy storms battered the country
A number of migrants were seen being brought in to Dover Harbour on an HM Border Force cutter today
But Home Office officials insisted the suits had nothing to do with the coronavirus outbreak and that the wearing of the paper-outer suits was routine for officers to wear at ‘their discretion’.
The boats were detected around 6am today.
A Border Force cutter and coastal patrol vessel (CPV) met the boats and collected the migrants on board.
In the first incident a group of 14 people, all men, were taken on board the CPV Alert and in the second incident the cutter Seeker picked up a further 14 people – 13 men and one woman.
All 28 people were taken to Dover Harbour where they have been medically assessed and transferred to immigration officials for interview.
Home Office officials said they had no details about the nationality of the migrants.
But Home Office officials insisted the suits had nothing to do with the coronavirus outbreak and that the wearing of the paper-outer suits was routine for officers to wear at ‘their discretion’
A Border Force cutter and coastal patrol vessel (CPV) met the boats and collected the migrants on board
Tony Eastaugh, Home Office Director for Crime & Enforcement, said: ‘One of the highest priorities for law enforcement in the UK will always be to protect the lives of vulnerable people, and arrest and dismantle the organised crime gangs who are prepared to gamble with the lives of others.
‘And that priority is equally reflected by the French and Belgians.
‘Since we intensified our work against people smugglers 16 months ago, the courts have convicted 110 offenders and sentenced them to over 350 years of imprisonment.’
The Home Office said the paper suit is standard kit for general cleanliness, available to all officers deployed on migrant duties and can be worn at an officer’s discretion.
They insisted it was not Border Force policy to wear these paper suits in relation to Covid-19 and that the suits do not provide protection against the virus.