More than 1,450 migrants made dangerous Channel crossing in August, analysis shows
Written by News on 01/09/2020
More than 1,450 migrants arrived in the UK by small boats in August – believed to be the record for a single month – according to analysis.
Last month also saw a new single-day record for migrant arrivals, with at least 235 people making it to Britain’s coasts on 6 August.
Home Secretary Priti Patel recently vowed to make the route “completely unviable” for those crossing the Channel to seek asylum.
Analysis by PA news agency revealed the number of people reaching the UK in small boats in August was almost as much as June and July combined.
In January this year, just 94 migrants reached the UK, but better weather and increased success appear to have led to more crossings over the summer months.
The Home Office has sought to blame French authorities and “activist lawyers” for the rising numbers of crossings and difficulties sending back asylum seekers who make it to Britain.
But charities have called for the government to provide safe and legal routes for migrants to claim asylum to prevent more making the dangerous journey across the Channel.
More suspected migrants arrived in the Port of Dover on Tuesday morning aboard a Border Force patrol boat.
Immigration officials helped them ashore and a dinghy believed to have been used to cross the Channel was spotted being towed into the harbour shortly after.
Border Force, the RNLI and French authorities are remaining active in the Channel in case more people arrive.
On Monday, the Ministry of Defence confirmed an Army drone used in Afghanistan will fly over the Channel to monitor migrant boats.
It will be the first time the Watchkeeper unmanned air system has flown in the UK operationally.
(c) Sky News 2020: More than 1,450 migrants made dangerous Channel crossing in August, analysis shows
