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10 migrants spotted off Dungeness and taken inshore to Dover

08:21, 05 August 2019

updated: 08:29, 05 August 2019

The Border Force helped 10 migrants to shore after a boat was spotted.

At around 12pm on Sunday, August 4, Border Force was alerted to a small boat travelling across the Channel towards Dover.

A coastal patrol vessel (CPV) was deployed and intercepted the vessel.

A Border Force cutter intercepted a ten migrants. Stock picture: Susan Pilcher
A Border Force cutter intercepted a ten migrants. Stock picture: Susan Pilcher

Eight men and two women, who said they were Iranian, were brought to Dover.

They were medically assessed and were transferred to immigration officials to be interviewed.

A Home Office spokesperson said:“Anyone crossing the Channel in a small boat is taking a huge risk with their life and the lives of their children.

“Since December, two cutters have returned to UK waters from overseas operations, we have agreed a joint action plan with France and increased activity out of the Joint Coordination and Information Centre in Calais.

“It is an established principle that those in need of protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach and since January more than 50 people who arrived illegally in the UK on small boats have been returned to Europe.”

This comes after a group of migrants were found on a beach in Dungeness after crossing the Channel on Saturday.

On Saturday a group of migrants were were spotted at Dungeness
On Saturday a group of migrants were were spotted at Dungeness

Initially, Border Force officials intercepted 20 people at various locations around Dungeness after they arrived in the small craft.

The 20 people said they were Iranian and Iraqi nationals. Then a Border Force cutter intercepted a small boat and brought 11 men to Dover.

All were medically assessed and sent to be interviewed by immigration officials.

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Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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