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Dozens of migrants were pictured being brought into Dover this morning, as new Home Office figures revealed more than 10,000 have tried to cross the Channel in small boats so far this year.
The Typhoon cutter was seen bringing the small crowd of people to shore as the number of arrivals into the country continues to increase amid the warmer weather.
Some 374 people were detected on Saturday, taking the provisional total for 2023 to 10,139.
There were 45,755 crossings in 2022.
Crossings have picked up in recent days after a quiet spell earlier in the month, with 2,529 people reported to have arrived between June 10 and 17.
Dozens of migrants were pictured being brought into Dover this morning, just days after more than 200 were intercepted trying to cross the Channel by Border Force officials
The Typhoon cutter was seen bringing the small crowd of people to shore as the number of arrivals into the country continues to increase amid the warmer weather
Nearly 10,000 have already made the dangerous crossing in small boats this year, on top of more than 45,000 who made the journey in 2022
Seven boats were detected on Saturday, which suggests an average of around 53 people crossed the Channel per boat.
However, the total number of crossings so far this year remains below the equivalent number at this point last year.
More than 11,300 crossings had been detected by June 17 2022 – over 1,000 higher than the 10,139 detected so far in 2023.
It comes after it was revealed that the Home Office and French government are to join forces to launch a surveillance plane which will fly over the English Channel 24/7 to catch people smugglers.
The move, designed to cut the overall numbers of migrants and vulnerable asylum seekers from crossing the Channel on small boats, is being seen as the ‘final piece in the puzzle’ to cut crossings.
The news comes after the French Interior Minister told RFI on Thursday: ‘We are guarding the border for the British people. Therefore you would expect to receive thanks rather than complaints.’
The plane is said to be capable of flying in all weathers, meaning it will not be affected by conditions which affect drones currently employed in similar roles, which cannot be flown in heavy cloud cover.
It is hoped the plane will improve the ability of French and English authorities to prosecute people smugglers due to its capability to film crossings for evidence in potential legal action.
It will also improve authorities’ ability to track boats making the dangerous crossing.
Meanwhile, an investigation has revealed how Albanian migrants who have entered the UK illegally are paying smugglers up to £30,000 to be provided with fake families.
The migrants are being offered sham marriages over TikTok by gangs who have recruited British or EU single mothers and their children.
The investigation found TikTok videos are being targeted at prisoners attempting to fight deportation from the UK as well as those who have entered the country illegally.
Migrants were brought to shore in Dover this morning after being picked up by Border Force
The latest TikTok scam comes after it was revealed Albanian gangs had launched an advertising blitz offering stowaway trips to migrants trying to come to the UK as well as channel crossings.
More than a quarter of the 45,755 people who crossed the Channel in small boats last year came from Albania.
The Telegraph reported that one TikTok account was posting clips offering to act as a middle-man to link migrants with the gang’s recruited mothers.
The account, created on May 10, also reportedly offered the service of finding guarantors who would provide fake UK addresses.
These services could help an illegal migrant receive an immigration bail, something they can only currently do if they have a place to live in the UK.
The Home Office has been approached for comment on today’s arrivals.
