It has been claimed the Home Office has 'lost control' after it was reported a new record number of migrants crossed to UK shores on Thursday.
At least 235 migrants made it across the dangerous waters of the English Channel amid speculation that the Royal Navy could be drafted in to patrol the busy shipping lanes if the high number of crossings continues.
Now human rights charity Detention Action has accused the Home Office of “fuelling chaos, criminality and untold trauma”.
Detention Action director Bella Sankey said: “The Home Office has lost control and all credibility on this issue, fuelling chaos, criminality and untold trauma for those who feel forced to make these dangerous crossings.
“Trying to make this route ‘unviable’ through greater enforcement is naive grandstanding and amounts to more of the same.
"What is needed is recognition that people who reach France will have valid claims to protection in the UK and the urgent development of safe and legal routes for them to do so.
“This would end the crossings overnight and ensure we are standing by our age-old tradition of protecting those seeking sanctuary on our shores.”
Her comments came amid speculation about a possible role for the Royal Navy in patrolling the Channel if migrant crossings continue at pace.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has declined to deny reports that the Navy could be used to patrol the Channel for migrant crossings.
He told Sky News: “I think people are absolutely right to be frustrated at the scenes they’re seeing.
"I’m frustrated, everyone is, which is why we’ve been working much more closely with the French government in recent time to improve our co-operation and intelligence-sharing to police crossings.
“Obviously France is a safe country for migrants to be. We all want to see these crossings reduced and, pending the outcomes of those conversations, we can decide on the best next steps to take.”
