Border Force detain 36 migrants trying to cross the Channel

Border Force detain 36 migrants trying to cross the Channel bringing the total this year to more than 200 after 8,417 arrived in 2020

  • Home Office spokesman said migrants were stopped on Saturday
  • A further 27 migrants were stopped by French authorities before reaching UK
  • Nigel Farage posted a video appearing to show migrants on Border Force boats

A total of 36 migrants have been detained while attempting to cross the Channel by UK authorities, with a further 27 stopped by the French.

A Home Office spokesman said migrants were stopped during two incidents on Saturday. 

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage posted a video on Saturday which appeared to show some of the migrants being brought to shore on Border Force Boats.

In reference to the Government suspending travel corridors from Monday to try to stop new coronavirus variants from entering the country, he tweeted above the video: ‘The travel corridors are closed today, but one remains very much open.

’30 more illegal migrants into Dover again this morning.’

The latest arrivals mean that more than 200 people have made the crossing in this month alone, after 8,417 arrived in 2020.  

A total of 36 migrants have been detained while attempting to cross the Channel by UK authorities, with a further 27 stopped by the French. Pictured: Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage posted a video which appeared to show some of the migrants being brought to shore at Dover

On January 4, the first migrants to cross the Channel since the UK’s Brexit deal came into force were brought into Dover after being intercepted.

A boat carrying around 10 people, all of whom were men, arrived in Kent shortly before 5am. 

On January 9, Border force stopped a boat carrying up to 25 migrants which had been heading towards the Sussex coast.   

Lifeboats were launched to rescue the migrants from the boat, which is believed to have been carrying children and five injured people. 

And on January 11, 160 migrants arrived and the Border Force had to rescue three children from the Channel.

Minister for immigration compliance and the courts Chris Philp said: ‘These are illegally facilitated crossings and migrants should be claiming asylum in the first safe country they reach. 

Mr Farage tweeted: 'The travel corridors are closed today, but one remains very much open. '30 more illegal migrants into Dover again this morning'

Mr Farage tweeted: ‘The travel corridors are closed today, but one remains very much open. ’30 more illegal migrants into Dover again this morning’ 

Once out of the boats, the migrants were seen being walked up a gangplank

Once out of the boats, the migrants were seen being walked up a gangplank

‘The Government continues to undertake substantial steps to tackle the unacceptable problem of illegal migration, including legislative changes so crossings of this nature are treated as inadmissible where migrants have travelled through a safe EU country. 

‘The Government will continue to seek to return those with no legal right to remain in the UK.’

The spokesman said that joint intelligence with the French had prevented a total of 134 individuals entering the UK this week.

He said: ‘These efforts have contributed to a 70 per cent reduction in crossings since September on fair-weather days by direct intervention on the French beaches.’

The latest arrivals mean that more than 200 people have made the crossing in this month alone, after 8,417 arrived in 2020

The latest arrivals mean that more than 200 people have made the crossing in this month alone, after 8,417 arrived in 2020