PICTURES show a migrant waving as he arrives in the UK after Border Force officers intercepted two boats off the Kent coast today, bringing those on board back to UK shore.
Two vessels carrying a number of migrants were rescued by British authorities today, while a further two boats were taken back to France. Those who were brought onto British soil have been taken into the Port of Dover where they will be questioned by immigration officials.
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The group of migrants that were taken into Dover were pictured wrapped in towels and blankets.
One man smiled and held his hand up in the air as he arrived on the Kent coast.
Police helped the new arrivals off the boat, before they were taken for questioning.
It is thought up to 30 migrants were intercepted, though official figures have yet to be released.
On Wednesday 42 migrants reached Britain on four boats, taking the total number to have crossed the Channel this year to 2,127.
The refugees had fled from Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iran, Iraw, Yemen, Syria and Turkey.
In the first incident at 4.50am, officers intercepted two males on one vessel.
Shortly afterwards, at 5.35am, 14 males were rescued from a second boat.
Border Force officers rescued a third vessel carrying 14 males and four females after it was spotted at 6.12am.
The final crossing was spotted at 12.11pm off Ramsgate, Kent and was carrying seven males and a female.
Chris Philp, the Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, said: “We continue to work with the French authorities to tackle these illegal crossings and bring the ruthless criminals who facilitate them to justice.
“This year we have put 21 people smugglers behind bars, with two jailed only last week.
“This builds on 2019, where we had 203 convictions for a total of 437 years.
“French authorities stopped more than 1,000 migrants from crossing the Channel across the months of April and May and have stopped more today.
“But there is much more to do, and we are committed to going further and stopping these boats.”
Last month British authorities announced they were using helicopters and drones to detect migrants crossing the channel in a bid to curb the crisis.
“This builds on 2019, where we had 203 convictions for a total of 437 years.
“French authorities stopped more than 1,000 migrants from crossing the Channel across the months of April and May and have stopped more today.
“But there is much more to do, and we are committed to going further and stopping these boats.”
Last month British authorities announced they were using helicopters and drones to detect migrants crossing the channel in a bid to curb the crisis.
However, the actions and comments made by Home Secretary Priti Patel, who has vowed to tackle the crisis, have been criticised refugee charities.
Bridget Chapman, from Kent Refugee Action Network, said: “British people have helped refugees settle in the UK for centuries, from the French protestant refugees arriving in Dover in the 17th Century to the Kindertransport in the Second World War, to people fleeing Uganda in the 1970s.
“We should be proud of our ability to give people the chance to restart their lives and thrive.
“These people are fleeing conflict and persecution and want to seek asylum, but there are very few safe and legal ways for them to do this.
“We would encourage the Government to look at how we develop these rather than undertaking the extremely difficult – and possibly impossible – task of attempting to circumnavigate international law.”
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