Nearly 3,000 migrants have crossed Channel already this year in 97 boats including 1,439 people in March as crossings soar above 2021's record levels

  • Almost 3,000 people have crossed the Channel this year on 97 small boats
  • The Home Office confirmed 279 people made the 21-mile trip on Wednesday  
  • French authorities intercepted 25 people who were about to set off on a boat 

Almost 3,000 migrants have crossed the Channel by boat so far this year.

UK authorities have rescued or intercepted 2,923 people making the dangerous journey in 97 boats in 2022.

The landmark figure was not reached last year until May 13.

So far in March, 1,439 migrants have arrived in 46 boats.

There have been no crossings so far today due to choppy conditions at sea.

So far this year almost 3,000 people have crossed the English Channel so far this year

So far this year almost 3,000 people have crossed the English Channel so far this year

It comes after the Home Office confirmed 279 people had made it to the UK on Wednesday. These people arrived in Dover yesterday on a UK Border Force vessel

It comes after the Home Office confirmed 279 people had made it to the UK on Wednesday. These people arrived in Dover yesterday on a UK Border Force vessel 

HMC Alert, pictured, rescued these people from the small boat, pictured right, which was being used to cross the channel

HMC Alert, pictured, rescued these people from the small boat, pictured right, which was being used to cross the channel 

It comes after the Home Office confirmed 279 people had made it to the UK on Wednesday.

French authorities also prevented 25 people from making the treacherous 21-mile trip in one incident.

More than 50 people were among the second group detained on board large Border Force vessel Valiant as it docked around 10.30am.

Crossings continued throughout the day after Border Force cutter Alert brought the first group of the day into Dover Marina, Kent at 9.30am.

A record 405 migrants crossed the Channel in 12 boats on Tuesday - more than any other day so far this year.

The Home Office claimed French authorities also prevented at least 538 people from making the dangerous trip in 11 incidents.

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.

The migrants were safely unloaded in Dover marina for processing by UK Border Force officials

The migrants were safely unloaded in Dover marina for processing by UK Border Force officials

More than 28,000 people successfully crossed the channel in 2021

More than 28,000 people successfully crossed the channel in 2021

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.

One group of migrants were rescued from this boat which was later moved by the UK Coast Guard

One group of migrants were rescued from this boat which was later moved by the UK Coast Guard

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.

Sellers are advised to look out for:

  • Buyers looking to pay in cash.
  • Repeat or bulk purchases of boats or equipment.
  • A lack of concern about the condition of the boat or equipment being purchased.
  • Buyers wanting to complete transactions quickly, cheaply, or without a delivery address.

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.

'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..'

This group of migrants were seen on March 15 on this terribly overloaded boat

This group of migrants were seen on March 15 on this terribly overloaded boat

A total of 28,381 migrants crossed the Dover Strait last year - significantly higher than the 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

'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 our country.

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

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