Border officials dealing with multiple migrant incidents in Channel
7 February 2020, 12:27
Border Force officers have responded to multiple "small boat incidents" off the UK coast just 24 hours after 90 migrants were intercepted.
The Home Office confirmed immigration officials had been deployed to intercept migrants attempting to reach UK shores in small boats.
Weather forecasters have predicted high winds and lashing rain for the weekend with yellow weather warnings in place for the whole country, but they appear to have failed to deter attempts by migrants to cross the Channel.
In Dover, Kent, people who appeared to be migrants and multiple dinghies were seen being brought into the harbour.
Local media reported the Border Force cutter Searcher was deployed several times by midday on Friday.
On Thursday a record number of migrants were interdicted by Border Force and police in the channel on Thursday
The Home Office reported 90 migrants had been detained in several incidents.
Meanwhile, French authorities said they rescued 11 migrants from an inflatable boat that was taking on water just after 7am on Friday.
Eleven migrants - eight men and three women - were taken to Calais. One individual was suffering from severe hypothermia.
Storm Ciara is expected to hit the UK this weekend with winds of up to 80mph in coastal areas, along with heavy rain.
