Border Force detain six migrants at Dover after they crossed the Channel in ‘brand new boat’ taking total arrivals this year to 242
- Six men, thought to be African, were picked up mid-channel at 12.40am today
- Border Force officers intercepted the men in a grey rigid hulled inflatable boat
- Group were picked up in calm and mild conditions after a treacherous crossing
Six migrants were detained by Border Force officers overnight after crossing the Channel in what appeared to be a brand new boat.
The group of men, thought to be African, were picked up mid-channel and taken on board the Border Force cutter before being brought into the port of Dover at around 12.40am this morning.
Border Force officers intercepted the grey, yellow and blue rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) in the channel in flat calm and mild conditions after it made the treacherous crossing.
The group of men, thought to be African, were picked up mid-channel and brought into the port of Dover at around 12.40am this morning
One of the men is seen being escorted up the dock by a Border Force official this morning
The RHIB was towed behind and tied up in the harbour.
It comes after 13 migrants reached the UK today by boat on Friday as weather conditions eased after a week of strong winds and heavy seas.
The French authorities intercepted another boat with 10 people on board who were returned to France on Friday.
Two men are seen arriving at the Dover Marina, accompanied by Border Force officials (left and right)
A man wraps himself in a blanket after being picked up in calm and mild conditions following the treacherous crossing
The total number of migrants detained so far this year has risen to 242 although the Home Office is yet to confirm official figures
The two groups used the small window in the weather to make the crossing as strong winds and bad weather are expected over the next few days.
The latest arrivals takes the number who have been detained so far this year to 242 although the Home Office is yet to confirm official figures.
January 9 was the busiest day so far when 103 people arrived in six boats.
A record 8,410 migrants made the dangerous journey in 2020.
The RHIB the men arrived in was towed behind and tied up in the harbour