Migrants crisis meeting expected between Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Dover MP Charlie Elphicke
17:14, 03 June 2019
updated: 17:43, 03 June 2019
MP Charlie Elphicke is understood to be meeting the Home Secretary shortly, after the migrant crisis reached a new peak.
A record 74 people tried to reach the coast in one day.
They were stopped by the Border Force in eight different boats on Saturday.
According to Mr Elphicke, this is a record number of people in a day.
Seven of the boats were intercepted in the Channel and some were taken to Dover. One vessel was found at Winchelsea in East Sussex.
Two other vessels were also stopped in France. Mr Elphicke warned last weekend that attempts to cross the Channel this summer looks set to surge at record levels.
He said: "These journeys are also incredibly dangerous. Overcrowded boats with men, women and children aboard.
"The risk of a tragedy in the middle of the English Channel resulting in loss of life is very real.
"This is why the Home Office and France must act now to bring this crisis to an end."
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: "The number of migrants crossing the Channel overnight is deeply concerning and I'm receiving regular updates. "
Kent Online has kept a count of the number of incidents involved since the present trend of migrants coming in by small craft became apparent.
With this weekend's spate it is a net 68 cases involving 686 people since November 8. This is for people who have landed on the shores of Kent, including Dover, Deal, Folkestone and Romney Marsh, or been rescued and brought in.
There is a gross figure from that time of 75 cases and 796 people, which also included those stopped by French authorities and taken back to France.
