Border Force intercepts six boats carrying 90 migrants including three toddlers and a baby in just one day

  • Border Force were alerted to six small boats in the Channel travelling to UK
  • A baby and three toddlers were amongst arrivals picked up at Dover today
  • The boats contained 90 migrants in total and all were brought to port of Dover
  • At least 1,413 migrants arrived to UK since January, compared to 1,850 in 2019

Border Force officers have intercepted six boats carrying 90 migrants, including three toddlers and a baby, in just one day.

The boats arrived in Dover, Kent, this morning. In the first incident a Border Force coastal patrol vessel intercepted a boat which was carrying a group of 10 males who presented themselves as Sudanese and Libyan.

A second boat was then picked up with 12 men on board who said they were Syrian and Iranian.

Photographs show suspected migrants wearing face masks and life jackets being brought into Dover on a Border Force dinghy. 

Seven boats carrying migrants made it to the UK after leaving from Calais, France. Six boats made it into Dover (one pictured) and one other boat made it to Winchelsea Beach, East Sussex

Seven boats carrying migrants made it to the UK after leaving from Calais, France. Six boats made it into Dover (one pictured) and one other boat made it to Winchelsea Beach, East Sussex

The number of migrants who have made it to the UK since the coronavirus lockdown began was last recorded to be at more than 850

The number of migrants who have made it to the UK since the coronavirus lockdown began was last recorded to be at more than 850

Migrants including a baby and three toddlers arrive by dinghies to Dover, Kent today. The individuals were intercepted in the Channel by Border Force officials

Migrants including a baby and three toddlers arrive by dinghies to Dover, Kent today. The individuals were intercepted in the Channel by Border Force officials

In the third incident a boat with 14 males who presented themselves as Syrian, Iranian, Senegalese, Iraqi and Yemeni was intercepted.

A group of 11 males and four females claimed to be Algerian, Kuwaiti, Iraqi and Syrian.

A fourth vessel carrying a group of 21 males and four females who presented themselves as Iraqi and Iranian.

And lastly a Border Force coastal patrol vessel intercepted a boat which was carrying a group of 11 males and three females who presented themselves as Eritrean, Iranian and Afghan. 

The toddlers were seen being escorted from the dinghies, wearing blankets wrapped around their shoulders.

A baby was also carried in a blanket from the Border Force dinghy by officials, who wore face masks and gloves. Border Force vessels Searcher and Hunter were involved. 

Officials carry a baby from the Border Force dinghy wearing face masks and gloves after boats were intercepted in the English Channel

 Officials carry a baby from the Border Force dinghy wearing face masks and gloves after boats were intercepted in the English Channel

One boat broke down off the coast of Calais in the Channel and was turned back to France. Pictured: two toddlers arriving at Dover today

One boat broke down off the coast of Calais in the Channel and was turned back to France. Pictured: two toddlers arriving at Dover today

This morning's interception comes after 14 migrants were intercepted in the English Channel on 13 May. Pictured, a baby is carried off a boat that made it into Dover, Kent this morning

This morning's interception comes after 14 migrants were intercepted in the English Channel on 13 May. Pictured, a baby is carried off a boat that made it into Dover, Kent this morning

All individuals were brought to Dover and, in line with established processes, are being assessed to establish whether there are any medical requirements.

The cases of all those found today will be dealt with in line with the immigration rules, including detention where appropriate. 

Another boat, thought to hold 17 migrants, including a baby and five children, broke down off the coast of Calais in the English Channel this morning.

French authorities picked up the boat and returned it to Calais, the BBC said.

South East BBC reporter Simon Jones said on Twitter: '17 migrants - including a baby and five children - were picked up by the French authorities and returned to France after their boat broke down in the Channel off Calais this morning. Several boats have succeeded in reaching the UK.' 

At least 1,413 migrants have made it to the UK since January - closing in on the 1,850 who arrived throughout the whole of 2019.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'Border Force is currently dealing with a number of ongoing small boat incident off the Kent coast.'

Migrants, including a baby and three toddlers, were intercepted in the Channel by Border Force Officials in dinghies in Dover today. Pictured, the toddlers being taken from dinghies

Migrants, including a baby and three toddlers, were intercepted in the Channel by Border Force Officials in dinghies in Dover today. Pictured, the toddlers being taken from dinghies 

Asylum seekers and illegal migrants will face an automatic two week quarantine on entering the UK as part of the government's plan to tackle coronavirus

Asylum seekers and illegal migrants will face an automatic two week quarantine on entering the UK as part of the government's plan to tackle coronavirus

Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said: 'We are all working night and day to dismantle and arrest the criminal gangs who trade in people smuggling. 

'This week, the Home Secretary spoke to her French Counterpart Interior Minister, Christophe Castaner who reaffirmed the commitment to carry out more returns at sea to stop these illegal crossings.

'This illegal and criminal activity is already subject to heavy law enforcement activity by Border Force, the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement and French law enforcement and we will continue to take whatever action is necessary to stop this criminal trade, including changes to the law.

'Already over 1,100 migrants were arrested in France in the first quarter of this year and in 2019 Immigration Enforcement made 418 arrests, leading to 203 convictions for a total of 437 years.

'But the recent increase in crossings is totally unacceptable which is why we are stepping up action to stop the crossings, going after the criminals perpetrating these heinous crimes and prosecuting them for their criminal activity.'

More than 1,200 migrants are believed to have been intercepted while making the perilous crossing and brought to Dover since the start of the year

More than 1,200 migrants are believed to have been intercepted while making the perilous crossing and brought to Dover since the start of the year

A man wearing a blanket and a face mask is pictured leaning over as officials stand behind him wearing high-vis vests and rubber gloves

A man wearing a blanket and a face mask is pictured leaning over as officials stand behind him wearing high-vis vests and rubber gloves 

Clare Moseley founder of migrant charity Care4Calais said: 'It's little wonder people living in France's refugee camps are desperate to make this dangerous crossing, given the awful conditions they face there.

'Coronavirus has made a bad situation life-threateningly worse. People are squeezed into tiny areas, they can't social distance, and the support they relied on for survival is drastically reduced.

'The French travel ban makes it impossible for them to leave, but still they face forced sometimes violent evictions almost every day.

'These people are fleeing terrifying situations in some of the most dangerous parts of the world. They aim for the UK because they want to be safe. Many have family or other connections, and others know our language and want to integrate and contribute.

'Now more than ever, we need to give them a safe and humane way to have their requests for asylum fairly heard, that's the way to end chaotic and dangerous channel crossings once and for all.'

Asylum seekers and illegal migrants will face an automatic two week quarantine on entering the UK as part of the government's plan to tackle coronavirus

Asylum seekers and illegal migrants will face an automatic two week quarantine on entering the UK as part of the government's plan to tackle coronavirus 

Care4Calais has launched an emergency appeal to provide food aid to people living in France's refugee camps.

Asylum seekers and illegal migrants will face an automatic two week quarantine on entering the UK as part of the government's plan to tackle coronavirus, the MailOnline revealed earlier this week. 

Home Office chiefs say Boris Johnson's fortnight quarantine rule for travellers entering Britain will extend to those caught trying to cross the country's borders illegally. 

Those suspected of being involved in criminal activity or ineligible for asylum will be isolated in special areas within detention centres, while legitimate asylum seekers will be isolated in specialised accommodation, the Home Office has confirmed. 

None of the migrants intercepted in the Channel and brought to Britain this year have been tested for coronavirus, the MailOnline previously revealed. 

At least 227 migrants made it to the UK over the Bank Holiday weekend, including a one day record of 145 migrants on VE Day.

This included 51 people packed on board a single inflatable boat.      

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