Another 80 migrants are picked up in SEVEN boats

Border Force officials detained 80 migrants who attempted to cross the English Channel in seven separate incidents yesterday, taking the total number to 1,600 so far this year.  

Around 65 migrants had arrived on six vessels by 10am after mainly setting off from Gravelines, 16 miles east of Calais. Another 15 arrived an hour later, with one man even travelling in a kayak. 

The first small boat was intercepted at 3.31am, when a Border Force patrol spotted three Libyan and Moroccan nationals travelling to British shores from France.

An hour later, a group of 11 males and two females from the Middle East were stopped by authorities and brought to Dover, Kent, where they were assessed to establish whether they had any medical requirements.

Around 65 migrants had arrived on six vessels by 10am after mainly setting off from Gravelines, 16 miles east of Calais, France. Pictured: Migrants arriving today

A third dinghy was stopped by Border Force at 6.35am – with 12 males and one female from Afghanistan and Iran on board – and a fourth was intercepted at 7.45am.

The small boat contained 16 migrants who said they were Iraqi, Syrian, Eritrean and Kuwaiti nationals. 

Minutes later, at 7.51am, officers in HMC Hunter stopped another boat which was carrying a group of four men from Sudan, North Africa.

Yet another small vessel was intercepted at 8.15am, carrying 15 migrants, before the seventh and final boat was stopped by Border Force at 11.13am.  

It was reported one of these vessels – a rigid inflatable boat – had been escorted into British waters unchallenged by a French naval boat.  

At least 1,200 migrants have now crossed to the UK on small boats since the coronavirus lockdown was announced, according to data.      

At least 1,200 migrants have now crossed to the UK on small boats since the coronavirus lockdown was announced, according to data

At least 1,200 migrants have now crossed to the UK on small boats since the coronavirus lockdown was announced, according to data

Pictured: Border Force officials in HMC Hunter intercept a dinghy as it crossed the Channel

Pictured: Border Force officials in HMC Hunter intercept a dinghy as it crossed the Channel

Yesterday’s arrivals were brought to Dover and, in line with established processes, were assessed to establish whether they had any medical requirements. 

None were reported and all have now been transferred to immigration officials, it was said.

They will be interviewed and their cases will be dealt with in line with the immigration rules, transferring to detention where appropriate. 

The latest arrivals come as Priti Patel yesterday launched a major push for controversial new powers designed to tackle the growing migrant crisis.

The Home Secretary has told Border Force chiefs to examine whether they have the legal authority to turn migrant boats around in the Channel – and send them back to France.

A major tightening of asylum law is also on the drawing board, which will force claimants to lodge all their arguments at the beginning of a case. Pictured: A border force vessel approaches a small boat carrying 25 migrants in the English Channel

 Yesterday’s arrivals (pictured) were brought to Dover and, in line with established processes, were assessed to establish whether there are any medical requirements

A border force vessel approaches a small boat carrying migrants in the English Channel as it is handed over by the French authorities to the English Border Force

A border force vessel approaches a small boat carrying migrants in the English Channel as it is handed over by the French authorities to the English Border Force

If this proves impossible under current law, she is said to be drawing up plans for specific new legislation allowing UK patrol boats to turn back the vessels.

A major tightening of asylum law is also on the drawing board, which will force claimants to lodge all their arguments at the beginning of a case.

This would stop them making a series of claims in the courts under different parts of human rights laws to delay their deportation. Both measures are likely to be highly contentious.

The UK Border Force is already looking at what powers it has to ‘turn people around in the Channel without any legislative changes’, a source said. 

Priti Patel wants new powers to curb illegal migrants sneaking into UK and calls for law change so dinghies can be turned around in the Channel and sent back to France

By David Barrett for the Daily Mail  

Priti Patel has launched a major push for controversial new powers designed to tackle the Channel migrant crisis, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The Home Secretary has told Border Force chiefs to examine whether they have the legal authority to turn migrant boats around in the Channel – and send them back to France.

If this proves impossible under current law, she is said to be drawing up plans for specific new legislation allowing UK patrol boats to turn back the vessels.

The Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) has told Border Force chiefs to examine whether they have the legal authority to turn migrant boats around in the Channel ¿ and send them back to France

The Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) has told Border Force chiefs to examine whether they have the legal authority to turn migrant boats around in the Channel – and send them back to France

A major tightening of asylum law is also on the drawing board, which will force claimants to lodge all their arguments at the beginning of a case.

This would stop them making a series of claims in the courts under different parts of human rights laws to delay their deportation. Both measures are likely to be highly contentious.

The UK Border Force is already looking at what powers it has to ‘turn people around in the Channel without any legislative changes’, a source said. At present, the border patrol cutters are only allowed to intervene when they see a migrant vessel in danger.

If new laws are required to turn back vessels at sea, the way it will work will inevitably be tied into the UK’s final Brexit negotiations with the European Union.

On the planned asylum reforms, a source added: ‘The Government wants to get into the position where asylum claimants cannot continually change their story and keep appealing. This is very detrimental for genuine asylum seekers who need the help of this country.

Pictured: Priti Patel with Border Force Director General Paul Lincoln attending a press conference to update the nation on coronavirus

Pictured: Priti Patel with Border Force Director General Paul Lincoln attending a press conference to update the nation on coronavirus

‘The current legislation does not work. It’s not fit for purpose.’

Ministers are understood to believe they will win public support for plans which require all reasons for an asylum claim to be made at the beginning of a case.

The maritime measures being pursued by the Home Office are thought to be conditional on securing the support of the French. Mrs Patel has already raised the issue with her Paris counterpart Christophe Castaner.

The Home Office is also understood to be looking at simplifying and streamlining the schemes which govern how asylum seekers are housed across the country.

Currently, some of the schemes involve local authorities volunteering to accept asylum seekers – such as the project for unaccompanied children who have claimed refugee status. Kent County Council leader Roger Gough has called for that scheme to be made compulsory after the number of lone children being cared for by his organisation soared.