Migrant crisis: 12 migrants detained at Kent beach ahead of Sajid Javid talks
TWELVE migrants have been detained after their dinghy landed in Lydd-on-Sea in Kent, according to reports, ahead of a planned emergency meeting between the Home Secretary, UK border force and other officials about the rising number of people risking their lives to enter the country illegally.
Channel migrants: Footage shows boat stranded at Kingsdown
Savid Javid warned economic migrants making the perilous crossing over the English Channel are in “grave danger” ahead of a meeting with UK Border Force, The National Crime Agency (NCA) and security officials. The Home Office confirmed that twelve migrants - including nine men, two women and a ten-year-old child were detained after a dinghy arrived in Greatstone in Kent overnight, just days after a host of migrants were detained in nearby Folkestone. Meanwhile the Home Secretary admitted that the increase in the number of migrants attempting to reach the UK by boat were “outside of our control”.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Javid detailed the perilous dangers facing migrants who make the crossing by boat looking for a better life.
Mr Javid wrote: "The weather conditions are often treacherous and the inflatable boats being used are woefully ill-equipped to make such a dangerous journey.
"The migrants who choose to make the journey are putting their lives in grave danger.
"Organised crime gangs are targeting and profiteering from these vulnerable and often desperate people who want to come to the UK."
Around 100 migrants are said to have made the crossing from France to the UK in small vessels over the Christmas period.
The rise in migrants attempting to enter the UK is thought to have been triggered by instability in Middle Eastern countries, as well as organised crime syndicates and tighter border controls at the Calais ferry crossing.
The latest detention follows an incident on Wednesday, when two boats carrying 12 men from Syria and Iran were brought to shore in Folkestone.
Around 40 migrants were detected making the crossing on Christmas Day, according to Sky News.
And on Sunday, six Iranian nationals were detained after arriving on Kingsdown Beach near the port of Dover.
Dover MP Charlie Elphicke called for Border Force ships to be reinstated to patrol the Channel as the number continues to rise.
But Elphicke warned "more needs to be done as a matter of urgency", including "the immediate return to France of people found making illegal crossings".
Immigration minister Caroline Nokes has warned that deploying more resources could act as a "magnet" and prompt further attempted crossings.
Meanwhile, defence secretary Gavin Williamson said UK armed Forces “stand ready” to intervene if the numbers continue to increase.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has said the UK's armed forces "stand ready" if needed to prevent further crossings.
Express.co.uk contacted Kent Police and the Home Office for comment.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Border Force was contacted by Kent Police at around 8.25am, today, Monday 31 December. Border Force officers were deployed to assist with a group of 12 migrants at Greatstone, Kent.
“The group consisted of nine men, two women and 10-year-old child. They have presented themselves as Iranian nationals.
“They all received a medical assessment and have now been transferred to immigration officials for interview.”