Eighty-seven suspected illegal migrants packed onto four small boats have been detained at Dover by Border Force as people-smuggling gangs took advantage of calm conditions across the Channel.
The migrants were brought to the Port of Dover by Border Force amid 59F (15C) temperatures.
The Home Office confirmed all adults who arrived in Dover were tested for Covid-19, and one person tested positive.
French authorities also claimed to have prevented two attempted crossings involving a further 51 people on Saturday.
Images from the Port of Dover today show Border Force officials in full PPE leading migrants to shore after they made the illegal crossing.
The latest arrivals mean 159 migrants have so-far been detained by Border Force this week, after another 33 people illegally crossed the Channel on Friday.
49 were picked up on Monday and 77 on Wednesday, taking the total for February to 221 – it has been predicted that this month will surpass January’s total of 223 arrivals.
The Home Office said: “People should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach and not risk their lives making these dangerous crossings.
“We are continuing to pursue the criminals behind these illegal crossings.
“Police patrols on French beaches and enhanced intelligence sharing between our security and law enforcement agencies has helped to prevent crossings.
“The Government is also returning illegal migrants who have no right to stay in the UK to safe countries.
“In January, new rules were introduced which make asylum claims inadmissible where people have travelled through safe countries to get to the UK through illegal routes.”
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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