Number of migrants crossing Channel ‘deeply concerning’
THE NUMBER of incidents of migrants crossing the English Channel as they try to reach Britain is “deeply concerning”, the Immigration Minister has said.
Caroline Noakes’s comments came as nine people, including three children, were intercepted on a beach in Sandgate, Kent, after they were spotted in a small 13ft inflatable boat.
This incident follows more than 40 migrants, presenting themselves as Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan, who tried to cross the Channel towards the UK on Christmas Day.
The Minister said: “Some of this is clearly facilitated by organised crime groups while other attempts appear to be opportunistic.
“We are in close and continual contact with the French authorities and law enforcement partners including through the new UK-France Coordination and Information Centre which opened
in Calais at the end of last month to tackle criminality at the border.
“Attempting to cross the Channel in this way is extremely dangerous and they are putting their lives at risk.
“People should also be in no doubt that Border Force and the Police Aux Frontieres are working together 24 hours a day to prevent attempts, protect life and prosecute offenders.”
Littlestone lifeboat station manager Matt Crittenden said a crew was called out at 12.40am yesterday to reports of people in a small inflatable boat, three miles off the coast at Sandgate. They were eventually found on the beach.
The Home Office said all nine migrants – five adult males, a woman, two boys and a girl – were detained.
A crew from Dover lifeboat station was also dispatched after up to eight migrants were spotted on a craft by the Spirit Of Britain ferry. Migrants, including children, were picked up in five separate incidents in the early hours of Christmas Day morning, with some attempting to make the crossing in dinghies.
The crossings follow a number of migrant rescues in recent months involving people trying to reach Britain via the Channel.