Another 50 migrants cross Channel by small boat as people-smugglers seize on calm weather with arrival numbers doubling from last year
- Around 50 migrants have arrived by small boat so far today after being intercepted by Border Force officials
- Four vessels brought in to the busy port town were among the first since a flurry of arrivals last Thursday
- People smugglers’ operations were interrupted by last week of poor weather but more people expected today
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Dozens of migrants made the dangerous Channel crossing by small boat today as people smugglers seized upon the first calm weather in more than a week.
About 50 people are believed to have been detained so far in around four boats, according to eyewitnesses, with more expected to arrive during the afternoon’s sunshine.
The first vessels were intercepted at around 9am and were brought into Dover Marina, Kent by Border Force officers.
Two groups of around six each attempted the crossing in small red and grey rigid hulled inflatable boats, and a larger group of around 10 were also brought in on the back of a Border Force vessel shortly after 11am.
The migrants, all wearing orange lifejackets and face masks, were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement for processing.
About 50 people are believed to have been detained at Dover so far in around four boats, according to eyewitnesses, with more expected to arrive during the afternoon’s sunshine
One man who was pictured appeared to be wearing a full white PPE overall as he was brought in to the harbour but it is currently unknown why he was dressed in the protective suit
The migrants, all wearing orange lifejackets and face masks, were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement for processing
They were mainly African men with some wearing designer clothing and jewellery
The first vessels were intercepted at around 9am and were brought into Dover Marina, Kent by Border Force officers
They were mainly African men with some wearing designer clothing and jewellery.
One man who was pictured appeared to be wearing a full white PPE overall as he was brought in to the harbour but it is currently unknown why he was dressed in the protective suit.
He was among the first migrants to arrive on UK shores since 29 people made the dangerous journey in two boats last Thursday.
So far at least 1,028 migrants have arrived in May. The Home Office is yet to confirm exactly how many migrants were brought in today.
They are among the first migrants to arrive on UK shores since 29 people made the dangerous journey in two boats last Thursday. It is believed the people smugglers’ operations have been interrupted by bad weather
So far at least 1,028 migrants have arrived in May. The Home Office is yet to confirm exactly how many migrants were brought in today
A Home Office spokesman said last week: ‘Criminal gangs are putting people’s lives at risk through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings’
3,136 migrants have arrived in 2021 so far. The figure is more than double the 1,330 who had arrived by May 15 last year.
More people have arrived in May than any previous month this year, with 3,136 migrants arriving in 2021 so far.
The figure is more than double the 1,330 who had arrived by May 15 last year.
A Home Office spokesman said last week: ‘Criminal gangs are putting people’s lives at risk through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings.
‘We are bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of the people smuggling networks and save lives.’