Migrant crossings: Warm weather sees Channel crossings continue day after hundreds brought ashore in Kent
The sudden rush of people crossing the English Channel is in part due to the calmer weather after weeks of unsettled conditions, with eyewitnesses reporting boats arriving in Dover.
Tuesday 7 September 2021 22:28, UK
People have continued to cross the English Channel, the day after hundreds of migrants were brought ashore in Kent.
Some 785 people crossed the water on Monday, according to the Home Office, while French authorities prevented 378 from reaching the UK.
Several young children and a baby were among those who made it ashore yesterday.
The current record for crossings in a single day is 828 on 21 August.
Crossings continued on Tuesday - in part due to the calmer weather after weeks of unsettled conditions - with eyewitnesses reporting boats arriving in Dover and the RNLI seen towing another further east in Kingsdown.
Dan O'Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, said: "This unacceptable rise in dangerous crossings is being driven by criminal gangs and a surge in illegal migration across Europe.
"We're determined to target the criminals at every level, so far, we have secured nearly 300 arrests, 65 convictions and prevented more than 10,000 migrant attempts.
"But there is more to do. The government's New Plan for Immigration is the only credible way to fix the broken asylum system, breaking the business model of criminal gangs and welcoming people through safe and legal routes."
Under 500 people are thought to have made the crossing on Tuesday.
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "Following a long period of poor weather, we have seen an increase in crossings as criminal gangs seek to exploit the improved sea conditions.
"This is still extremely dangerous. We remain determined to fix the broken asylum system and break the business model of people smugglers who put lives at risk, and welcome people through safe and legal routes."
The home secretary is expected to discuss the matter with her French counterpart, Gerald Darmanin, at a three-day G7 interior ministers' meeting in London.
Previously, they announced an agreement to more than double the number of police patrolling French beaches.
As part of the deal, the government pledged to give France £54m to support its efforts to stop small boat crossings.
Ms Patel has since told MPs she is prepared to withhold the promised funds unless there is an improvement in the number of migrants intercepted by French authorities.
None of the money has been paid so far, it is understood.