Christmas Day saw 40 immigrants detained while attempting to cross the Channel
A group of nine migrants, including three children, have been stopped by border police in Folkestone after crossing the Channel in a dinghy.
Five men, one woman, two boys and a girl were detained by Border Force officers in a small 13ft (4m) inflatable boat. A further rescue took place in Dover, where eight people are reported to have crossed the Channel.
Charlie Davies, operations manager of Littlestone-on-Sea RNLI, told the BBC it had been called to reports of a “craft off the beach at Sandgate”. “The people on the boat had got on the beach, but they were met by Border Force and Kent Police,” he added.
It comes after 40 migrants, including two children, were detained on Christmas Day after attempting to cross the English Channel.
Immigration minister Caroline Nokes said: “The number of incidents over recent days is deeply concerning. Some of this is clearly facilitated by organised crime groups while other attempts appear to be opportunistic.
“We are in close and continual contact with the French authorities and law enforcement partners including through the new UK-France Coordination and Information Centre which opened in Calais at the end of last month to tackle criminality at the border.
“Attempting to cross the Channel in this way is extremely dangerous and they are putting their lives at risk. People should also be in no doubt that Border Force and the Police Aux Frontieres are working together 24 hours a day to prevent attempts, protect life and prosecute offenders.
“At the same time the UK’s NCA-led Organised Immigration Taskforce is working to stop people smuggling at source.”
