Channel migrants: More than 30,000 cross in small boats this yearon September 22, 2022 at 11:15 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Among the latest arrivals at Dungeness in Kent were children wrapped up in blankets.

Migrants are brought to Dungeness by the RNLI after a small boat incident in the ChannelImage source, PA Media

More than 30,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year, government figures have shown.

Among the latest arrivals at Dungeness in Kent were children wrapped in blankets and people in winter coats.

Several groups of people were also seen arriving along the coast at Dover on Wednesday.

Last week, the number of people to cross this year exceeded the total for 2021. Figures for small boat crossings have grown steadily in recent years.

On Wednesday 667 people crossed the Channel in 15 small boats, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed, bringing the total number of arrivals this year to 30,549.

So far this month 5,475 people have made the journey.

A government spokesman said the continued rise in crossings was “a clear abuse of our immigration laws, risking the lives of vulnerable people and funding immoral criminal gangs”.

He said: “Despite the lies they have been sold by the people smugglers, migrants who travel through safe countries to illegally enter the UK will not be allowed to start a new life here.”

Migrants being brought to Dungeness

Image source, PA Media

Anyone who crossed in genuine need of asylum would be “in scope” to be relocated to Rwanda, the government spokesman added.

A High Court challenge is under way over the policy which was announced by former Home Secretary Priti Patel in April.

Lawyers for the home secretary have argued concerns over the scheme from the United Nations are misplaced.

The second stage of the legal case is expected to take place in October.

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

US mid-terms: How will new voting laws affect the election?on February 15, 2022 at 12:41 am

New rules are coming in across the US ahead of mid-term elections. What impact will they have?

Jonnie Irwin: Escape to the Country and A Place in the Sun host dies aged 50on February 3, 2024 at 12:43 am

The TV host was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020 after the disease had spread from his lungs.By Andre Rhoden-Paul & Daniel RosneyBBC NewsTV...

Islamic State: Hundreds of women on hunger strike at Iraqi prisonon May 5, 2023 at 3:53 pm

The prisoners, accused of having been part of the Islamic State group, claim they have been unjustly treated.By Murad Shishani & Nick SturdeeBBC...

Formula 1: Audi to join from 2026on August 26, 2022 at 7:34 am

Audi is to make its debut in Formula 1 in 2026.Audi is to make its debut in Formula 1 in 2026.

Somalia drought: Witnessing a two-year-old’s death from hungeron October 16, 2022 at 11:10 pm

Andrew Harding reports on one family’s agonising loss in Somalia amid growing fears of a famine.Image source, BBC/ Ed HabershonBy Andrew HardingBBC News, DollowAfter...