Up to 60 migrants are picked up in English Channel by Border Force

Up to 60 migrants are picked up in English Channel by Border Force a day after 170 people on 12 boats attempted crossing before being brought to Port of Dover

  • Unconfirmed reports say roughly 60 migrants were brought into Dover today 
  • Border Force officers detained 170 migrants trying to cross Channel yesterday 
  • A further 222 were stopped from crossing by French authorities 

Up to 60 migrants have been picked up in the English Channel by Border Force today after 170 people were caught trying to get to Dover yesterday.  

Unconfirmed reports say around 60 were brought into the Port of Dover in Kent during the morning after they were intercepted by a Border Force cutter in a number of small boats in the English Channel.

Yesterday Border Force officers detained 170 migrants trying to cross the English Channel in small boats in 12 incidents on Saturday -the largest number to attempt the crossing so far this month.

A further 222 were stopped from making the 21 mile crossing by French authorities with a number of boats also seized.

The groups were brought into the harbour at Dover in Kent.

Among those detained on Saturday were 14 migrants are thought to have landed on a beach at Dungeness on the Romney Marsh where they were handed over to immigration officials.

Up to 60 migrants have been picked up in the English Channel by Border Force today after 170 people were caught trying to get to Dover yesterday

Unconfirmed reports say around 60 were brought into the Port of Dover in Kent during the morning after they were intercepted by a Border Force cutter in a number of small boats in the English Channel

Unconfirmed reports say around 60 were brought into the Port of Dover in Kent during the morning after they were intercepted by a Border Force cutter in a number of small boats in the English Channel

Yesterday Border Force officers detained 170 migrants trying to cross the English Channel in small boats in 12 incidents on Saturday -the largest number to attempt the crossing so far this month

Pictured: A migrant walks off the boat without a shoe on

Yesterday Border Force officers detained 170 migrants trying to cross the English Channel in small boats in 12 incidents on Saturday -the largest number to attempt the crossing so far this month

It comes after another 27 were detained on Friday in one large rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB).

And French authorities also made two interceptions on Friday at sea involving 25 people. They also prevented a further eight people from leaving the beaches around Calais.

Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, Chris Philp, said: ‘We are taking action at every step of these illegally-facilitated journeys to make this route unviable.

‘We are working closely with the French who today have stopped 222 people from making this dangerous crossing, seizing boats and equipment and intercepting people inland. This week the Home Office and NCA have also made 12 arrests of individuals involved in people smuggling and illegal entry.

Pictured are migrants being brought to the Port of Dover this morning after being intercepted in the English Channel

Pictured are migrants being brought to the Port of Dover this morning after being intercepted in the English Channel

A migrant wearing only socks steps from the Border Force boat on to dry land at the Port of Dover

A migrant wearing only socks steps from the Border Force boat on to dry land at the Port of Dover

Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, Chris Philp, said: 'We are taking action at every step of these illegally-facilitated journeys to make this route unviable'

Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, Chris Philp, said: ‘We are taking action at every step of these illegally-facilitated journeys to make this route unviable’

‘We are also committed to fixing the asylum system, to stop those who have no right to be in the UK coming here, to make it fairer and firmer, compassionate to those who need help and welcoming people through safe and legal routes.’

Dan O’Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander for Border Force, said: ‘These crossings are facilitated by callous criminals who smuggle people out of safe EU countries and put more pressure on our broken asylum system – delaying or denying support to those genuinely in need of protection.

‘We have committed to fixing the asylum system, to stop those who have no right to be in the UK coming here. The new system will be fairer and firmer and will be compassionate towards those who need our help, welcoming people through safe and legal routes.

Dan O'Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander for Border Force, said: 'These crossings are facilitated by callous criminals who smuggle people out of safe EU countries and put more pressure on our broken asylum system - delaying or denying support to those genuinely in need of protection'

Dan O’Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander for Border Force, said: ‘These crossings are facilitated by callous criminals who smuggle people out of safe EU countries and put more pressure on our broken asylum system – delaying or denying support to those genuinely in need of protection’

Saturday's numbers mean a record 7,370 migrants have so far reached UK shores in small boats compared to around 1,850 in 2019

Saturday’s numbers mean a record 7,370 migrants have so far reached UK shores in small boats compared to around 1,850 in 2019

‘We are working closely with the French, who today stopped 33 people from making these crossings.’

Saturday’s numbers mean a record 7,370 migrants have so far reached UK shores in small boats compared to around 1,850 in 2019.

In September alone 1,954 made it across the English Channel in small boats.