Number of migrants crossing English Channel in small boats tops 19,000 for the year

The number of migrants landing in England after crossing the channel Channel in small boats this year has risen to over 19,000.

Migrants, including young children, arrived in Dover this morning as they were picked up by the Border Force after making setting off from France.

A baby and several young children were seen alongside adults being taken ashore by Border Force workers and a member of the armed forces.

According to official Ministry of Defence figures, a total of 19,371 people have been intercepted at sea by Border Force so far in 2022.

August alone has seen 2,972 people make the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in 68 dinghies or other small boats.

Migrants arrived in Dover this morning as they were picked up by the Border Force after making the perilous journey from France

Babies and young children were seen alongside adults being taken ashore by Border Force workers and a member of the armed forces

According to official Ministry of Defence figures, a total of 19,371 people have been intercepted at sea by Border Force so far in 2022

According to official Ministry of Defence figures, a total of 19,371 people have been intercepted at sea by Border Force so far in 2022

Members of the Border Force escort migrants back to Dover after they were picked up in the English Channel this morning

The busiest day this year came on August 1 when 696 people were brought into Ramsgate, Kent on 14 boats – an average of 50 people per vessel.

And the figures are expected to continue rising as the UK heads into another heatwave. 

Yesterday, Friday August 12, 402 migrants arrived in Dover, Kent. They appeared relieved to reach the UK, with one man making a heart sign with his hands while another gave a thumbs up to onlookers.

Several migrants stood up and threw their arms in the air in glee as the boat approached the port, before being told to sit down by Border Force staff.

A further 49 people were prevented from reaching the UK by the French coastguard.

On Friday afternoon, the regional operational surveillance and rescue centre (CROSS) in Griz-Nez was made aware of a boat in difficulty in the Calais Straits.

The French Navy helicopter Dauphin was tasked with locating the vessel before being relieved by a British aircraft which continued to monitor the situation.

At the same time, the CROSS launched the French Navy assistance and rescue tug Abeille Normandie to pick up the 49 stranded people.

They were dropped off at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer where they were taken care of by the departmental fire and rescue service and the border police.

A group of 39 migrants arrived in Dover at  7.30am yesterday morning after crossing the English Channel in small boats before being picked up by the Border Force

A second group of up to 100 migrants, including babies and young children, were escorted to the harbour on board Border Force cutter Hurricane at around 10am yesterday. Pictured: A member of the Army holding a baby (left) and a toddler right) who arrived at Dover with the second group of migrants yesterday

28,526 people made the treacherous journey in 2021 – compared to 8,410 who arrived in 2020, according to official government figures.

A Government spokesperson said: ‘The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

‘Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws, but they risk lives and hinder our ability to help refugees who come to the UK through safe and legal routes.

‘The Nationality and Borders Act will enable us to crack down on abuse of the system and the evil people smugglers, who will now be subject to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

‘Under our new Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda, we are continuing preparations to relocate those who are making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys into the UK in order for their claims to be considered and rebuild their lives.’