Migrants brought to Dover as three more boats spotted attempting to cross Channel from France
18:52, 17 May 2020
updated: 10:01, 18 May 2020
Border officials are working to deport dozens of migrants after another three boats were stopped crossing the Channel en route to Britain.
It brings the total number of landing attempts in Kent to nine over the weekend after six vessels carrying 90 people were intercepted yesterday.
The crossings have been described as "reckless acts facilitated by criminals" by the government as it pledges to send the illegal migrants back to France.
The Home Office said as the migrants had left France, which is designated as "a safe country", UK officials will be "seeking to return" them where it is "appropriate".
Crews from the Border Force were alerted to a dinghy at 3.35am, 6.54am and 1.15pm today carrying a total of 30 men and five women on board.
They were brought to Dover and have been receiving medical assessments and legal checks in line with immigration rules to see if they need to be detained.
The people brought ashore said they were from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen and Palestine.
Meanwhile, French authorities have also been dealing with several incidents today stopping 50 people leaving the country or returning them to France after being picked up in the Channel by authorities there.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage today questioned the numbers being quoted of migrants arriving in the UK.
The former Ukip leader and parliamentary candidate for South Thanet posted "exclusive footage" of people being brought ashore at Dover.
The government says the illegal crossings, often organised by criminal gangs remains a key areas of concern for them to tackle.
A Home Office spokesman said arresting and dismantling the gangs is "our priority" and they are "determined to stop" further incidents.
Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said: “Today’s incidents are the result of criminals smuggling people into the country illegally.
"Criminal intelligence continues to be shared between the NCA and French authorities and substantial French law enforcement deployment prevented a number of further boats crossing this morning.
“Today’s cases have been dealt with in line with the immigration rules, including detention where appropriate.
"The migrants have left a safe country and we are seeking to return specific cases where appropriate.”
But the Kent Refugee Action Network is calling for the government to make it easier for people to cross safely into the UK.
Spokeswoman Bridget Chapman said: "No one wants people to be making this extremely hazardous journey.
"We would encourage the government to develop safe and legal routes for those in France who wish to make the journey to the UK. It is in all our interests to regularise arrivals."
