Migrant Channel crossings resume for the first time in a fortnight thanks to heatwave
Boris Johnson urges the French to ‘stiffen their sinews’ and stop wave of migrants crossing the channel after a record THOUSAND make it to Kent in small boats in just one day
Packed lifeboat was seen arriving on a beach in Dungeness in Kent today as crossings boosted by heatwaveWhile officials led passengers away, one woman was seen clutching a small baby who was strapped to her Images show other young boys and girls being carried or escorted to safety among several men and women
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Migrant crossings have hit another record high with at least 1,000 men, women and children spotted making the journey to the UK today – as Boris Johnson urges France to stop the crossings.
The astonishing new figure, based on witness sightings collated by Sky News, is thought to be the highest daily figure and well over the previous record of 828 on August 21.
The Prime Minister now says Home Secretary Priti Patel is ‘working around the clock’ to ensure France impedes the passage of illegal migrants across the Channel.
He was answering a question by Conservative MP Jacob Young, who argued Britain’s ability to provide Afghans a safe passage to the UK is strained by ‘the continuing uncontrolled illegal migration on the English Channel’.
Mr Johnson said: ‘My honourable friend is completely right and, of course, the issue is that very sadly I think our friends across the Channel in France are faced with a very difficult problem.
‘A large number of people want to come to this country, and we are doing everything we can to encourage the French to do the necessary and impede their passage.
‘But I know the Home Secretary is working right around the clock to ensure that we not only encourage the French to stiffen their sinews and stop people making the journey, but we use every possible tactic available to us as well.’
A packed lifeboat was pictured arriving on a beach in Dungeness in Kent this morning after picking up migrants from a dinghy out at sea.
A second dinghy was shown pulled up on the shingle with discarded lifejackets around it.
While officials led passengers away, one woman was seen clutching a small baby who was strapped to her. Images showed other young boys and girls being carried or escorted to safety among several men and women.
Three large white coaches were seen parked up on a stretch of land, apparently ready to drive away the arriving migrants.
A packed lifeboat was pictured arriving on a beach in Dungeness in Kent today before migrants disembarked on the beach to be met by Border Force
The group of migrants arriving at Dungeness in Kent this afternoon included families with young children
A wave of crossings – including this one at Dungeness – is thought to have been prompted by the recent spell of warm weather
Migrants are escorted along Dungeness beach today by Border Force officials in one of a series of crossings
While officials led passengers away, one woman was seen clutching a small baby who was strapped to her
A child giving a thumbs up to a photographer after landing at Dungeness today (left), and a young girl on her father’s shoulders
A second dinghy was shown pulled up on the shingle near Dungeness Power Station with discarded lifejackets around it
Today’s scene took place against the ghostly backdrop of Dungeness, which is one of the largest expanses of shingle in Europe
A panorama of the dinghy on the left, and the migrants gathering on Dungeness beach accompanied by Border Force
The group who landed on Dungeness this afternoon were rounded up by Kent Police and Border Force
Pictured: A graph showing the number of migrants crossing the Channel on small boats since 2019. The figure has increased each year
Witnesses described authorities including Border Force, and the RNLI, as being very busy as a steady stream of crossings was under way amid calm waters and sunny skies.
One onlooker said: ‘It looks like the authorities have been overwhelmed today.’
Sunday saw the first small boat crossings for more than two weeks due to bad weather.
Some 158 people, including five children, arrived on Dover from four boats.
Those arrivals brought the total number of people who have crossed to the UK aboard small boats this year to more than 12,500, according to data compiled by the PA news agency.
Crossings in 2021 have already eclipsed last year’s annual total of 8,417 and that tally continues to rise on fair weather days.
Despite this, the UK continues to see far fewer boat arrivals and asylum claims than many of its European counterparts.
Earlier this year the RNLI saw a large spike in donations after the charity’s chief executive defended its role in rescuing people crossing the English Channel, describing it as ‘humanitarian work’.
It came after the charity said it had faced heightened criticism for rescuing migrants, with one crew having to call the police after being subjected to abuse.
Dan O’Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, said today: ‘This unacceptable rise in dangerous crossings is being driven by criminal gangs and a surge in illegal migration across Europe.
‘We’re determined to target the criminals at every level, so far, we have secured nearly 300 arrests, 65 convictions and prevented more than 10,000 migrant attempts.’
‘But there is more to do. The Government’s New Plan for Immigration is the only credible way to fix the broken asylum system, breaking the business model of criminal gangs and welcoming people through safe and legal routes.’
Today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Home Secretary Priti Patel was ‘working around the clock’ to ensure France impedes the passage of illegal migrants across the Channel.
He was answering a question by Conservative MP Jacob Young (Redcar), who argued Britain’s ability to provide Afghans a safe passage to the UK is strained by ‘the continuing uncontrolled illegal migration on the English Channel’.
Mr Johnson said: ‘My honourable friend is completely right and, of course, the issue is that very sadly I think our friends across the Channel in France are faced with a very difficult problem.
‘A large number of people want to come to this country, and we are doing everything we can to encourage the French to do the necessary and impede their passage.
‘But I know the Home Secretary is working right around the clock to ensure that we not only encourage the French to stiffen their sinews and stop people making the journey, but we use every possible tactic available to us as well.’
A group of migrants are brought ashore from the local lifeboat at Dungeness in Kent today
They were brought ashore after being picked-up following a small boat incident in the Channel
158 people including women and toddlers made the crossing on Sunday the Home Office says (this picture was taken today in Dover Harbour)
A spokesperson for Kent Police said today: ‘Kent Police assisted Border Force following a report of suspected migrants at Denge Beach, Dungeness at 11.40am on Monday 6 September 2021.’
The Home Office have not yet revealed how many migrants have made the crossing.
Meanwhile in France it was reported at as many as 300 more people were seen in dunes near Dunkirk waiting for boats bound for the UK.
French coastguard officials said several boats attempting to cross the Channel were in difficulty off the Strait of Pas de Calais.
The first boat was spotted near Pas-de-Calais by the police helicopter with four castaways rescued and their boat on board before dropping them off at the port of Dunkirk.
A second boat with 37 people including two women and a child were also picked up and brought back into Dunkirk.
Migrants are brought ashore from the local lifeboat at Dungeness in Kent today, after being picked-up following a small boat incident in the Channel
Four toddlers wrapped in hooded jackets and a baby being carried in an adult’s arms were seen
Crossings in 2021 have already eclipsed last year’s annual total of 8,417 and continues to rise
