News / Politics

Record number of migrants cross English Channel as Patel vows to jail asylum seekers

Tuesday, 20 July 2021 4:19 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 20 July 2021 4:19 PM ]

Around 50 migrants were spotted landing in one Kent beach alone

In a dramatic sign the government’s concerted efforts to stop illegal migration across the English Channel is failing miserably, at least 430 migrants reached the UK on Monday (July 19), a new record for a single day.

Surge in migrants crossing the English Channel at weekend

There has been a surge in migrants crossings this weekend despite strong deterrent measures by the Home Office.

The new record was made all the more dramatic as 50 people were seen landing in one beach, at Dungeness in Kent, alone.

The group, which included children, had all crossed the English Channel in one dinghy.

A day earlier, Sunday (July 18), 241 migrants had made the potentially dangerous journey from France to England across the Channel.

There are reports of further beach landings today (July 20) at Dungeness and Dover.

Overall, in 2021 nearly 8,000 migrants have reached the UK from France by crossing the English Channel in 345 boats.

Despite involving the armed forces in deterrence-focused operations, the Home Office’s efforts have clearly failed, as demonstrated by the latest record number of beach landings.

British army deploys surveillance drone against migrants

In the latest offensive against migrant crossings across the English Channel the British army has deployed one of its state of the art drones.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has vowed to render Channel crossings “unviable”, with new legislation designed to criminalize knowingly entering British territory without permission.

Patel announces tougher asylum system but migrants keep crossing the Channel

Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced plans to overhaul the UK

The Nationality and Borders Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Commons, will mean migrants entering without permission could be jailed for up to four years.

In promoting the proposed legislation, Dan O-Mahoney, who was appointed Clandestine Channel Threat commander last year, claimed it would "protect lives and break this cycle of illegal crossings".

But Amnesty International’s Steve Valdez-Symonds dismissed the Nationality and Borders Bill as an “extremely reckless and dangerous response” to the issue which neglects to tackle the problem at source.