Another 50 migrants cross Channel by small boat amid calm weather

Another 50 migrants cross Channel by small boat as people-smugglers seize on calm weather with arrival numbers doubling from last year

  • Around 50 migrants have arrived by small boat so far today after being intercepted by Border Force officials
  • Four vessels brought in to the busy port town were among the first since a flurry of arrivals last Thursday 
  • People smugglers’ operations were interrupted by last week of poor weather but more people expected today

Advertisement

Dozens of migrants made the dangerous Channel crossing by small boat today as people smugglers seized upon the first calm weather in more than a week.

About 50 people are believed to have been detained so far in around four boats, according to eyewitnesses, with more expected to arrive during the afternoon’s sunshine.

The first vessels were intercepted at around 9am and were brought into Dover Marina, Kent by Border Force officers.

Two groups of around six each attempted the crossing in small red and grey rigid hulled inflatable boats, and a larger group of around 10 were also brought in on the back of a Border Force vessel shortly after 11am.

The migrants, all wearing orange lifejackets and face masks, were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement for processing.

About 50 people are believed to have been detained at Dover so far in around four boats, according to eyewitnesses, with more expected to arrive during the afternoon’s sunshine

One man who was pictured appeared to be wearing a full white PPE overall as he was brought in to the harbour but it is currently unknown why he was dressed in the protective suit

One man who was pictured appeared to be wearing a full white PPE overall as he was brought in to the harbour but it is currently unknown why he was dressed in the protective suit

The migrants, all wearing orange lifejackets and face masks, were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement for processing

The migrants, all wearing orange lifejackets and face masks, were escorted up the gangway by Immigration Enforcement for processing

They were mainly African men with some wearing designer clothing and jewellery

They were mainly African men with some wearing designer clothing and jewellery

The first vessels were intercepted at around 9am and were brought into Dover Marina, Kent by Border Force officers

The first vessels were intercepted at around 9am and were brought into Dover Marina, Kent by Border Force officers

They were mainly African men with some wearing designer clothing and jewellery.

One man who was pictured appeared to be wearing a full white PPE overall as he was brought in to the harbour but it is currently unknown why he was dressed in the protective suit.

He was among the first migrants to arrive on UK shores since 29 people made the dangerous journey in two boats last Thursday.

So far at least 1,028 migrants have arrived in May. The Home Office is yet to confirm exactly how many migrants were brought in today.

They are among the first migrants to arrive on UK shores since 29 people made the dangerous journey in two boats last Thursday. It is believed the people smugglers' operations have been interrupted by bad weather

They are among the first migrants to arrive on UK shores since 29 people made the dangerous journey in two boats last Thursday. It is believed the people smugglers’ operations have been interrupted by bad weather

So far at least 1,028 migrants have arrived in May. The Home Office is yet to confirm exactly how many migrants were brought in today

So far at least 1,028 migrants have arrived in May. The Home Office is yet to confirm exactly how many migrants were brought in today

A Home Office spokesman said last week: 'Criminal gangs are putting people's lives at risk through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings'

A Home Office spokesman said last week: 'Criminal gangs are putting people's lives at risk through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings'

A Home Office spokesman said last week: ‘Criminal gangs are putting people’s lives at risk through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings’

3,136 migrants have arrived in 2021 so far. The figure is more than double the 1,330 who had arrived by May 15 last year.

3,136 migrants have arrived in 2021 so far. The figure is more than double the 1,330 who had arrived by May 15 last year.

More people have arrived in May than any previous month this year, with 3,136 migrants arriving in 2021 so far.

The figure is more than double the 1,330 who had arrived by May 15 last year.

A Home Office spokesman said last week: ‘Criminal gangs are putting people’s lives at risk through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings.

‘We are bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of the people smuggling networks and save lives.’

Number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats

  • January 2020 – 87
  • February 2020 – 192
  • March 2020 – 187
  • April 2020 – 530
  • May 2020 – 741 
  • June 2020 – 702
  • July 2020 – 1118
  • August 2020 – 1,468
  • September 2020 – 1,954
  • October 2020 – 463 

  • November 2020 – 757
  • December 2020 – 211
  • January 2021 – 223
  • February 2021 – 308
  • March 2021 – 831
  • April 2021  746 
  • May 2021 – 1,028 (so far)