Record 90 migrants cross the Channel in one day

A RECORD number of migrants crossed the English Channel into Britain yesterday despite Home Office vows to block the route.

UK officials intercepted 90 people, including women and children – the highest number of crossings in a single day.

More attempted crossings were intercepted by French officials.

The previous record of 86 last September prompted Home Secretary Priti Patel to pledge to halve the number of crossings.

It will raise further questions about people smuggling across the route despite a supposed crackdown by authorities in the UK and France costing millions.

French authorities said this week that 371 migrants attempted the crossing in January, but only 91 were successful.

The country intercepted more than 2,350 migrants last year –

‘Protect the vulnerable’

more than four times the total of 586 in 2018.

The Home Office has insisted it has taken a robust approach, drawing criticism from charities who accuse the Government of treating refugees with hostility.

But the measures have failed to stop smuggling gangs operating along a 55-mile stretch of coastline in France, who have escalated their activities in the past year.

There was a six-fold increase in the number of arrivals over the Channel last year, when more than 1,850 entered the UK compared with 297 in 2018.

Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, said: ‘It is essential that we put a stop to this appalling trafficking trade and protect vulnerable people from making these dangerous crossings.’