Dozens of migrants crossed the Channel this morning (Saturday 10th December) as calmer weather creates better conditions for small boats.
An exclusive report by GB News found around 200 people were picked up by Border Force on Saturday in vessels as part of an ongoing operation.
One group of migrants managed to land on the beach at Samphire Hoe, around two miles from Dover but were intercepted by security teams. They have now been taken to the Manston processing centre.
More than 44,000 people have now made the crossing, according to Government data.
Official figures from the Ministry of Defence show that 90 migrants crossed the Channel yesterday in two small boats making a total of 44,130 so far this year.
It’s understood that 134 migrants were rescued by the French authorities yesterday (Friday) and returned to France.
The number who made it to the UK in the whole of 2021 was 28,526.
The pictures come a day after plans to step up co-operation to tackle illegal immigration across Europe and bring people smugglers to justice were agreed at a meeting of the Calais Group.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman met with counterparts from France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, in the presence of the European Commission and its agencies, in Brussels yesterday morning to renew discussions on how to address the global migration crisis. The group has published a Joint Communique outlining commitments made at the meeting.
The UK will agree a working arrangement with Frontex, Europe’s external border agency, to bolster its upstream efforts to contain illegal migration, as other countries also committed to bolster their support. Working together at Europe’s land and sea borders will enable countries to improve registration of irregular migrants and ensure rapid asylum and returns procedures, so that illegal migration flows are reduced at source. Frontex has a particular focus on tackling migration from western Balkans countries.
Ministers also agreed to enhance cooperation of the Joint Intelligence Cell situated in Calais, to allow operational teams to better identify and respond to criminal networks. The cell has dismantled 59 organised crime groups involved in illegal crossings since it was set up in July 2020.
Yesterday’s meeting also saw ministers agree to deeper cooperation with third countries to work on shared migration challenges and ensure people do not undertake perilous journeys in the first place.
Source: GB News
