Child among 12 Iranians held on Kent beach as Sajid Javid holds talks
The latest group to make it across the Channel landed on the beach in Lydd-on-Sea at 6am - including a 10-year-old.
Monday 31 December 2018 17:20, UK
A child was among 12 Iranian migrants detained after their dinghy landed in Kent on New Year's Eve.
The latest group to make it across the Channel landed on the beach in Lydd-on-Sea at 6am - just hours before the home secretary arrived for talks with government officials about how to prevent more migrant crossings from France.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The group consisted of nine men, two women and 10-year-old child. They have presented themselves as Iranian nationals.
"They all received a medical assessment and have now been transferred to immigration officials for interview."
Eyewitnesses described seeing a large police presence, including helicopters, along the quiet coastline stretch.
Chris Matcham, who watched the events unfold, said: "I was driving towards New Romney this morning with my sister when a police car came haring past us along the road.
"We saw what we suspected were immigrants standing by the van on the pavement. I think we saw four or five but couldn't see for sure as we were driving past."
Home Secretary Sajid Javid earlier admitted that many of the factors behind the increase in migrants attempting to reach the UK by boat are "outside of our control".
Mr Javid is discussing the problems with Border Force, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and other officials on Monday.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he described the rise in perilous attempts to cross the English Channel as "deeply concerning" - and vowed that the government "will not stand by and allow reckless criminals to take advantage of some of the most vulnerable in our global society".
Describing the threats migrants face, Mr Javid wrote: "The weather conditions are often treacherous and the inflatable boats being used are woefully ill-equipped to make such a dangerous journey.
"The migrants who choose to make the journey are putting their lives in grave danger."
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Later in the article, he added: "Organised crime gangs are targeting and profiteering from these vulnerable and often desperate people who want to come to the UK."
Before the latest landing almost 100 migrants travelled from France to the UK in dinghies and other small vessels over the Christmas period - and the rise in journeys has been fuelled by instability in the Middle East, organised crime and tighter security at Calais.
Mr Javid has described France's response to the recent incidents as "swift and thorough".
There are fears it is only a matter of time before there is a migrant death in the Channel from a capsized dinghy.
Mr Javid also held a "significant and productive" phone call with French interior minister Christophe Castaner on Sunday to agree moves to deter further small boat crossings, during which they confirmed plans to have a face-to-face meeting in January.
Mr Castaner is understood to have described to Mr Javid how in early December French officials dismantled an organised criminal gang which had been trafficking people through France.
Ahead of Mr Javid's cross-government meeting, the NCA warned that more "highly dangerous" attempts by migrants to reach the UK are likely - and said tackling organised criminal gangs is an "operational priority".
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has said the UK's armed forces "stand ready" if needed to prevent further crossings.
However, immigration minister Caroline Nokes has warned that deploying more resources could act as a "magnet" and prompt further attempted crossings.