Dozens of suspected migrants have reportedly been taken ashore as the Border Force responded to “small boat incidents” in the Channel.
The Home Office confirmed officers were in action this morning. It has previously warned that trying to cross the Channel in a small boat is “incredibly dangerous”.
A spokesman said: “Border Force is currently dealing with ongoing small boat incidents off the Kent coast.
"Further details will be provided once the situation has been resolved.”
British and French border patrol boats were said to have intercepted the small vessels which attempted the near 21-mile crossing despite treacherous weather conditions in the early hours of the morning.
Newly elected Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke said she has sought an urgent meeting with Home Secretary Priti Patel and called for more to be done in mainland Europe to prevent dangerous crossings.
Mrs Elphicke said: “The French have been given tens of millions of pounds of British hard-earned taxpayer money to stop illegal departures from their shores. I want to know where the money has gone.”
