A tiny baby was one of at least 30 migrants who crossed the Channel in small boats today, with ‘dozens’ more expected, after more than 200 sailed to Britain in small boats yesterday – taking the total number of Channel migrants this year so far to 3,500. 

According to the Home Office, 213 children, men and women were taken by UK Border Force officers in six dinghies. They were brought ashore in Kent. 

Nearly 2,000 migrants crossed the Channel last March in just 61 boats. In 2022, 3,444 arrived in Britain by 112 dinghies. The number of migrants reached Britain in the same time frame as March 21, 2018, with 806 people, an increase by 300 percent. More than 28500 migrants crossed from France to reach Europe in 2021. 

A Home Office spokeswoman said joint operations with the French had ‘prevented more than 23,000 migrant attempts’ in 2021 and 19 small boat organised criminal groups had been dismantled with 400 arrests since July 2020. 

According to campaigners, Channel migrants could be refugees fleeing war or persecution in Africa and/or the Middle East.

The National Crime Agency warns the UK maritime sector to be wary of organized crime groups targeting them in order to get small boats for people-smugglers. 

It comes as the Government is currently paving the way for Ukrainians escaping Putin’s bombs to enter Britain, with more than 150,000 people in the UK expressing their interest in sponsoring visa applications for ‘thousands’ of refugees.

Tom Pursglove, Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, said: ‘The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

A Coastguard officer carries a young baby as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, March 22, 2022

Following a Channel boat incident on March 22nd 2022, an officer from Coastguard carries a child with him.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, March 22, 2022

After a minor boat accident in the Channel on March 22, 2022, a group of migrants is brought into Dover (Kent) aboard a Border Force vessel.

Young children amongst a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, March 22, 2022

Young children amongst a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, March 22, 2022

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, March 22, 2022

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, March 22, 2022

A Coastguard officer carries a young baby as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, March 22, 2022

Following a Channel boat incident on March 22nd 2022, an officer from Coastguard carries a child with him.

An Interforce Security officer carries a young child as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, March 22, 2022

After a minor boat incident on the Channel in March 222022, an Interforce Security officer transports a small child with him.

In March alone, nearly 2,000 migrants have so far sailed across the Channel in 61 small boats, while 3,444 have arrived in Britain in 112 dinghies in 2022. During the same period to March 21 last year, the figure was 806 migrants, making it an increase of 300 per cent this year. In 2021, more than 28,500 migrants made the crossing from France

Just in March, almost 2,000 migrants crossed Channel in 61 small boats. Meanwhile, in 2022, 3444 arrived in Britain on 112 dinghies. This year’s figure is 300 percent higher than the 806 migrants who arrived in Britain last March. More than 28500 migrants crossed from France to reach Europe in 2021. 

‘Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. British citizens are sick of them.

‘Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we’re cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.’

Hunter, Border Force cutter, brought in the first group (around 20) to Dover Marina on Monday at noon. Most of them were wearing red blankets and their lifejackets waving as they made their way up the gangway.

Hunter, along with around 30 migrants including women, returned to the harbour soon after. The large vessel Seeker, a Border Force vessel docked shortly before noon with 50 additional people who were trying to make the dangerous journey.

Three migrants got stuck on a small dinghy in Littlestone-on-Sea’s Channel and were rescued shortly afterwards by the RNLI. It is believed that they had abandoned the engine to allow for assistance from Dover Strait (21 miles).

After reaching the shore, three of these young men were taken by lifeboat to safety.

NCA warns boat owners to increase security and report any suspicious behavior after thefts.

Untreated plywood boards, PVC Tarpaulin Sheets and Duct Tape are all items that retailers should report to the authorities. These materials can be used to strengthen and modify inflatables.

The NCA believes OCGs use ever more hazardous and inedible boats to transport people across the Channel, without regard to increasing the danger to lives. This is according to Intel. Border Force and Charity Crimestoppers will support the NCA’s appeal with striking leaflets, as well social media posts. 

NCA Deputy Director Andrea Wilson said: ‘As the weather starts to improve, making small boat crossings more likely, we are taking this opportunity to reinforce our appeals to those within the marine and maritime industries to help us stop those involved in organised people smuggling. 

Three young men ditched the engine of a tiny mustard yellow dingy vessel to be helped from the 21-mile Dover Strait

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Three young men abandoned the small engine of their tiny vessel in mustard yellow to get help from Dover Strait, 21 miles away

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, March 21, 2022

One group believed to be migrants was brought to Dover (Kent), March 21, 2022 

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, by Border Force officers following a small boat incident in the Channel, March 21, 2022

Following a Channel incident, on March 21st 2022, a small group of boaters was reported to have been migrants, Border Force officers bring them into Dover, Kent.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, March 21, 2022

One group believed to be migrants was brought to Dover (Kent), March 21, 2022

Migrants disembark from the UK Border Force vessel HMC Alert, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, March 16, 2022

Following their capture at sea, they attempted to cross the Channel. They were brought to Dover Marina on March 16th 2022.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, March 21, 2022

One group believed to be migrants was brought to Dover (Kent), March 21, 2022 

‘Crossing the channel in these types of vessels is extremely dangerous, but the criminals involved don’t care about safety, they just see people as a commodity to be exploited. We have witnessed the tragic consequences in just the past year.

‘Appeals like this are an important part of our activity to disrupt these gangs and go hand in hand with law enforcement activity to stop them.

‘We continue to work with partners to target the supply of these vessels but we need the help of those in the UK maritime industry and coastal communities to do that, and I’d ask them to report any suspicions they may have.’

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, said: ‘We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with the NCA to help raise awareness of organised crime linked to the supply of small boats; and highlight the steps businesses and boat owners should take to protect themselves and others.

‘As a trade association, safety is at the heart of what we do and I am confident that our members will continue to take the lead in this area by reporting suspicious activity and familiarising themselves with the “red flags” to be mindful of when selling boats and marine equipment.

‘This is a vitally important campaign from the NCA and I would encourage all leisure marine businesses and boat owners to report any signs of suspicious activity and take additional security measures to prevent them becoming the victims of theft.’

In the meantime, an older Sudanese citizen in his 20s was killed by a car while walking on the northern French road.

At 6 a.m. on Thursday, he was pronounced dead at the site near Nouvelle-Eglise.

It is the fifth migrant death in the Calais region so far this year – with the man only arriving a few days previous according to Voix Du Nord.