Another 20 migrants brave bitter sea temperatures to cross Channel to UK in tiny boats as 2021 total passes 1,500
- Two groups of people arrived on British shores on UK Border Force vessels today
- The first of the small boats to arrive was not equipped with an outboard engine
- Arrivals mean number of migrants making the crossing in 2021 has passed 1,500
Around 20 migrants crossed the English Channel earlier today on inflatable boats without engines, including a tiny sleeping baby.
The first group of six men were brought into Dover Marina before 8am on a Border Force vessel towing their grey rigid hulled inflatable boat.
They were seen cloaked in light blue blankets around their shoulders for warmth as they were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement officers.
Many of the group were barefooted despite the bitter temperatures at sea and were handed white disposable flip flops as they arrived.
The inflatable craft was not equipped with an outboard engine and paddles could be seen in the hull.
Around 20 migrants crossed the English Channel earlier today on inflatable boats without engines, including a tiny sleeping baby
The first group of six men were brought into Dover Marina before 8am on a Border Force vessel towing their grey rigid hulled inflatable boat
They were seen cloaked in light blue blankets around their shoulders for warmth as they were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement officers
About 15 more migrants arrived on a Border Force cutter about an hour later.
One man appeared to be in visible distress and held his back as he walked up the harbour for processing.
They are among the latest arrivals since 42 migrants were detained in three incidents last Wednesday.
As many as five young children including a sleeping baby just a few months old wrapped in a foil blanket were on board.
The inflatable craft was not equipped with an outboard engine and paddles could be seen in the hull
About 15 more migrants arrived on a Border Force cutter about an hour later
One man appeared to be in visible distress and held his back as he walked up the harbour for processing
The first group of six men were brought into Dover Marina before 8am on a Border Force vessel towing their grey rigid hulled inflatable boat
Around 20 migrants crossed the English Channel earlier today on inflatable boats without engines, including a tiny sleeping baby
She disembarked at Dover Marina, Kent along with a man, woman and two children thought to be her parents
French authorities also prevented three attempted crossings overnight and into Wednesday morning involving 45 people.
A total of 161 people have made the dangerous crossing in ten boats in April.
And at least 1,523 have now made the 21 mile journey from the French coast in 2021.
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘People smugglers are putting lives at risk by facilitating these dangerous journeys.
‘We are working closely with our partners in France to stop migrants from leaving French beaches and since Monday attempted crossings involving more than 150 people have been stopped.
‘The Government’s New Plan for Immigration will break the business model of people smugglers and overhaul the broken asylum system.’