Today, there are dozens of migrants arriving in the UK. This is despite the fact that the number of those crossing the Channel this season is nearing 20,000.
The large group were intercepted and brought ashore in Dover, Kent on Border Force’s cutter Hunter on Tuesday morning.
Pictures of the would-be vessel for desperate migrants were shown, a floral-looking inflatable raft that looked like it would be used by holidaymakers.
Border Force towed a blue and white inflatable boat into harbour, where 12 men sat on it. Another 10 people were draped with blue blankets for warmth about 45 minutes later.
Soon after, a third group of about eight migrants wearing orange lifejackets was brought aboard a Border Force boat.
It comes as new figures show that there has been a sixfold increase of migrants crossing the Channel since October last year.
Numerous migrants have taken on the risky crossing of the English Channel aboard inflatable rafts. Right: The group at Dover, Kent
The group, which is pictured above mostly in masks, had their vessel intercepted Tuesday morning by Border Force.
The migrants smile and chat as they are photographed aboard the Border Force cutter Hunter on Tuesday morning
In October 2020, only 475 migrants crossed the border. This compares to 2,669 who made the journey despite adverse weather conditions last month. Above: On Tuesday, migrant workers in Dover, Kent.
19742 migrants have so far successfully made the dangerous journey to Europe in 2021. This is a significant increase on the 8,410 who arrived in the previous year.
The Home Office was contacted to confirm the arrival of migrants today.
If more than 258 people arrive in today’s world, the total for this year would surpass the landmark of 20,000.
Due to good visibility, more people will make the dangerous 21-mile crossing of the Dover Strait. However, conditions at sea remain treacherous.
Dover Lifeboat of the RNLI was launched at 9.30 AM and is believed that it is currently rescuing around 40 migrants.
They are the first arrivals in the area in a week following the arrival of 145 in five boats last Tuesday (October 26).
Stormy weather has made the treacherous journey more dangerous. This was tragically illustrated when at least one migrant died in an emergency incident off Harwich.
The tiny boat of the migrants is believed to have drifted in high winds and been at sea for 72 hours before being rescued by two rescuers.
It comes as new Home Office stats showed a mere 475 migrants crossed the Channel in October 2020, compared to 2,669 that made the perilous journey despite poor weather conditions last month.
This massive increase means that 19,741 migrants have crossed the border so far in this year, more than the 8,420 who arrived in 2020.
The Home Office also revealed that French authorities intercepted 15,000 crossings at an interception rate 43%.
September saw the most migrants crossing the border, with 3,879 of them making the dangerous crossing.
It is estimated that the annual total could reach 22,000, triple that of last year, according to the Times.
Border Force officials bring masked migrants to shore aboard their cutter Hunter.
The large group was taken to Dover, Kent, for processing by Border Force officials on Tuesday November 2.
Good visibility will allow more people to make the treacherous 21-mile journey across Dover Strait. But conditions at sea remain rough.
Around 2,000 migrants are waiting in Calais for people smugglers.
Many are living in ‘desperate’ conditions as the cold winter months approach and are risking their lives daily trying to board dinghies and lorries.
The UK’s clandestine Channel threat commander, Dan O’Mahoney, said: ‘These dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossings are facilitated by violent criminal gangs profiting from misery, and more people will die as long as they continue.
“We are working together with the French to stop boats abandoning their beaches and crackdown against the criminals driving these crossings.
“Our broken asylum system attracts illegal migrants.” The government’s new plan for immigration will fix the system, making it firm on those who abuse it and fair on those in genuine need.’
Priti Patel would like to give immunity to Border Force officers in the event of the death of migrants during her operation to ‘turn back small boats across the Channel.
The Home Secretary approved the plan, which would see migrants boats intercepted by officers on jet skis and then turned back to France.
Only 475 people crossed the border in October 2020, as opposed to 2,669 who made the journey despite the poor weather conditions.
September saw the highest number of migrants crossing the border with 3,879 in September
Under international maritime laws, sailors are required to rescue ‘any person in distress at Sea’. Failure to do so can lead to up to two year imprisonment.
But the government is trying to pass the Nationality and Borders Bill through Parliament, which would give Border Force officials immunity from prosecution during the ‘turnback’ operations.
Opposition MPs and charities have criticized the plans, while France has called the tactics ‘illegal.
Border Force currently has the power to intercept migrants trying to cross Channel waters once they reach UK waters.