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Police and Coastguard officers called to Dungeness after migrants spotted

10:23, 17 November 2019

updated: 10:37, 17 November 2019

Migrant boats have been spotted off the Kent coast for the second time in three days.

Police, Border Force and Coastguard officers have been called to the incidents this morning.

A Border Force cutter. Stock picture
A Border Force cutter. Stock picture

A police spokesman has confirmed officers were called to a report just before 7.30am of suspected migrants on board a boat in the Channel.

They attended Dungeness lifeboat station after the vessel was brought to shore, where those on board were passed into the care of Home Office immigration officials.

An eyewitness says a "massive" search was conducted off the coast and that several migrants had been found.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency says its officers have been called to "a number of incidents".

She added: "Search and rescue helicopters from Lydd and Lee-on-Solent, RNLI lifeboats from Dover, Dungeness and Hastings, and Border Force vessels Seeker and Speedwell have all been sent.

A coastguard rescue helicopter. Stock picture
A coastguard rescue helicopter. Stock picture

"We are only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities."

This comes three days after 17 migrants were found off the coast and brought to Dover for interviews.

The Home Office has been approached for comment.

More as we get it.

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