A series of photographs shows the high volume of asylum seekers reported to have arrived in the UK via Dover today.

More than 900 people attempted to make the crossing from France.

UK authorities rescued 405 people from 12 events, while French authorities intercepted 538 people in at least 11 events.

The images show men, women and a high number of children being escorted off official vessels onto land in Dover.

The groups can be seen clutching safety blankets while children appear wrapped up in woolly hats and padded snowsuits.

In one photograph, a person appears to have an injured arm. It is understood multiple rescues have taken place, in both darkness and daylight.

Dover and Dungeness lifeboats can be seen assisting Border Force vessels, thought to be due to the high numbers.

Just 10 days ago, nearly 450 suspected asylum seekers were picked up in the Channel.

UK authorities intercepted 253 people from 10 events.

French authorities stopped 196 people from getting to the UK in seven incidents.

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, MP Tom Pursglove said: “The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

"Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. Rightly, the British public has had enough.

“Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we’re cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.

“Our targeted work with the French authorities led to over 500 people being intercepted before attempting this treacherous journey to reach the UK.”

More than 28,300 people crossed the Dover Strait by small boats in 2021, triple 2020's figure.

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