250 people detected in small boats after break in crossings

SOME 254 people were detected in small boats crossing the Channel to the UK on Sunday after an 11-day pause in such journeys.

The figure was confirmed by the Government, as more people thought to be migrants were seen being brought in to Dover yesterday.

There is believed to have been an 11-day break in activity around the Channel from April 20 to 30, when no crossings were recorded, amid reports of strong winds and choppy seas.

Updating its figures for Sunday, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed 254 migrants were detected in seven small boats.

Yesterday morning, more people believed to be migrants were pictured on the Dover Lifeboat following what was thought to be a small boat incident in the Channel.

The MOD took over control of migrant operations in April, when the Government also announced controversial plans to send some of those making the crosschannel journey to Rwanda.

The Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill – dubbed the antirefugee Bill by campaigners, as it makes it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and includes powers to process asylum seekers overseas – became law on Thursday.

Sunday’s figures mean that at least 6,947 people have reached the UK since the beginning of the year.