An MP has called for the government to support police in ensuring asylum seekers arriving in the UK are kept safe.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield's comments in Parliament today came after a young migrant was assaulted just moments after stepping onto UK land .

Police have been investigating the incident on Kingsdown beach near Deal , where the man in his 20s was attacked at about 11am on August 16.

He is reported to have been left injured and shaken by the incident, but did not require hospital treatment.

Today - as more than 400 migrants have arrived on UK soil after crossing the Channel via small boat, marking a new record for a single day - Ms Duffield addressed the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Chris Philp on the issue.

She asked in the Commons: "Given the recent very violent assault on a young man who'd just landed on a Kent beach, and the planned protests by far-right groups in Kent as reported in several broadsheet newspapers, what support is the secretary of state offering police in Kent to assure the safety of all those who seek asylum in our country?

"And will the minister join me in telling those hate-driven violent groups that make their way to Kent to go back to where they come from?"

Mr Philps said he joined Ms Duffield in condemning "whole heartedly and unreservedly" groups who target migrants.

He said: “There is no excuse at all, under any circumstances, for harassing people who have arrived, whatever someone's views may be about the immigration system."

He added: "The police have our full support in dealing with anyone who perpetrates violent offences or harassment offences of the kind (Ms Duffield) describes."

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