Up to 100 migrants are picked up in the English Channel a day after more than 400 people packed into 12 small boats, arrived in the UK and took total for the year to 2,600

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At least 100 migrants have been picked up in the Channel, a day after more than 400 men, women and children packed into 12 dinghies in France and sailed to Britain.

More than 900 men, women and children were intercepted in small boats crossing the Channel on Tuesday to seek asylum, in what is thought to be the largest number of migrants attempting to reach Britain in a single day so far this year.

UK Border Force authorities brought 405 people to shore at Dungeness, Kent in 12 dinghies yesterday, while the French stopped another 538 people in 11 small boats. Among those to arrive were several children, including a baby.

Around 100 are thought to have already crossed the Channel on Wednesday. More than 50 people were among the second group detained so far on board large Border Force vessel Valiant as it docked around 10.30am.

More than 2,500 people have crossed the Channel since the start of the year, with 28,526 making the crossing in 2021.

A Home Office spokeswoman said joint operations with the French had ‘prevented more than 23,000 migrant attempts’ in 2021 and 19 small boat organised criminal groups had been dismantled with 400 arrests since July 2020.

It comes as the National Crime Agency warned the UK maritime industry to beware of organised crime groups targeting them to obtain small boats for people smugglers.

Tom Pursglove, minister for justice and tackling illegal migration, said: ‘The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable. 

Migrants wearing life jackets sit in a dinghy as they cross the Channel from France to Britain, March 15, 2022

Migrants wearing life jackets sit in a dinghy as they cross the Channel from France to Britain, March 15, 2022

Migrants are seen on the UK Border Force vessel HMC Alert, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

A coast guard helps migrant women and her child to disembark from the UK Border Force vessel Vigilant, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, March 16, 2022

A coast guard carries a child in his arms as he helps migrants to disembark from the UK Border Force vessel Vigilant, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the Channel, March 16, 2022

More than 2,500 people have crossed the Channel since the start of the year, with 28,526 making the crossing in 2021

A UK coastguard helps migrants to disembark from the UK Border Force vessel Alert, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

Migrants disembark from the UK Border Force vessel HMC Alert, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

‘Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. Rightly, the British public has had enough.

‘Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we’re cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into the country.

‘Our targeted work with French authorities led to over 500 people [being] intercepted before attempting this treacherous journey to reach the UK.’

More than 100 migrants had arrived on Tuesday in three boats by 9am. Around 40 people were the first to be brought in to Dover Marina on the back of the Dover Lifeboat at 2.30am. The group of predominantly men huddled together on the hull before being escorted up the gangway.

Another 25 were brought in on the RNLI’s 13-12 lifeboat Casandra at 7.30am.

Border Force cutter Hunter rescued a further 40 and brought them to harbour shortly after 9am.

A young family including a mum carrying her little girl wearing a pink coat and her son aged around 10 were among them.

Around 50 migrants were brought to shore from two boats on board the Dover Lifeboat at 10.30am.

Men were seen leaning against the railings ahead of disembarking while Border Force officers cradled multiple young infants and helped women up the gangway.

Shortly afterwards, a sixth migrant boat was intercepted by Border Force vessel Hunter with around 20 people on board.

Around 40 migrants also landed on the beach at Dungeness, Kent around 11am and were escorted up the shingle by officials. One man was seen taking a selfie on his phone as he reached dry land.

A further 50 people were on board huge Border Force vessel Seeker when it docked shortly after 2pm.

Many of the young men huddled light blue blankets for warmth after they were intercepted making the dangerous journey.

Another group of migrants also managed to land on the beach near Folkestone, Kent around 2.30pm.

Women were among around 50 people queuing to get into Immigration Enforcement vans to be driven off for processing.

French Navy public service patrol boat Pluvier also rescued 41 migrants from a boat in difficulty 18 miles off Gravelines and returned them to Calais.

The NCA has warned that boat owners should take extra security measures to protect vessels and equipment while reporting suspicious behaviour following thefts.

Retailers are also asked to report unusual purchases of untreated plywood boards, PVC tarpaulin sheets and duct tape as these materials are often used to reinforce and modify inflatables. 

Intel has led the NCA to believe OCGs are using ever more dangerous and un-seaworthy boats to smuggle people across the Channel with no regard for increasing the risk to life.

Its new appeal, backed by Border Force and charity Crimestoppers, will see striking leaflets and social media posts issued.

NCA Deputy Director Andrea Wilson said: ‘As the weather starts to improve, making small boat crossings more likely, we are taking this opportunity to reinforce our appeals to those within the marine and maritime industries to help us stop those involved in organised people smuggling. 

Migrants are seen on the UK Border Force vessel HMC Alert, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

A migrant man prepares to disembark from UK Border Force vessel HMC Alert, after being picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

A UK coast guard carries life jackets used by migrants after they were rescued and picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

Migrants disembark from the UK Border Force vessel Vigilant, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

Migrants are seen on the UK Border Force vessel HMC Alert, after they were picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, and brought to the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

UK coast guards paddle on a dinghy inflatable boat used by migrants to cross the English Channel, as they bring it into Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

UK Border Force officers are pictured on their boat Athena as they bring a dinghy inflatable boat used by migrants to cross the English Channel, into the Marina in Dover, southeast England, March 16, 2022

‘Crossing the channel in these types of vessels is extremely dangerous, but the criminals involved don’t care about safety, they just see people as a commodity to be exploited. Tragically, in the last year we have seen the fatal consequences of that.

‘Appeals like this are an important part of our activity to disrupt these gangs and go hand in hand with law enforcement activity to stop them.

‘We continue to work with partners to target the supply of these vessels but we need the help of those in the UK maritime industry and coastal communities to do that, and I’d ask them to report any suspicions they may have.’

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, said: ‘We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with the NCA to help raise awareness of organised crime linked to the supply of small boats; and highlight the steps businesses and boat owners should take to protect themselves and others.

‘As a trade association, safety is at the heart of what we do and I am confident that our members will continue to take the lead in this area by reporting suspicious activity and familiarising themselves with the “red flags” to be mindful of when selling boats and marine equipment.

‘This is a vitally important campaign from the NCA and I would encourage all leisure marine businesses and boat owners to report any signs of suspicious activity and take additional security measures to prevent them becoming the victims of theft.’