More than 33k migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats in 2022

More than 33,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year according to MoD figures – as another 400 make the journey today

• More than 33,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel so far this year 
• Border Force vessels seen escorting migrants into Dover, Kent, this morning
• Migrants, including children, wore blankets around their shoulders amid the cold

More than 33,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, official government figures have revealed.

Data released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said 33,001 people have been intercepted making the dangerous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in 2022.

A total of 7,961 of those migrants arrived in September alone and this figure is expected to increase as a further 400 people crossed the Channel today.

At least two Border Force vessels could be seen escorting dozens of migrants into Dover, Kent in the early hours of this morning – after battling cold and windy conditions at sea.

The migrants, which included young children, wore blankets around their shoulders as they were led along the gangway to the dockside at a former jetfoil terminal, out of sight from the public.

Border force officials at Dungeness beach in Kent escorting migrants ashore this morning – one is pictured holding a small child

A large group of migrants were brought into Dungeness today – queues of people are seen wrapped up in blankets 

An RNLI lifeboat brought a third group of asylum seekers into the port shortly before sunrise

Women and young children in winter coats and lifejackets could be seen being placed on buses

As the MoD released their latest data, a further 400 people crossed the Channel today

An RNLI lifeboat brought a third group of asylum seekers into the port shortly before sunrise.

Around 11am today Border Force staff could be seen escorting dozens more migrants to shore.

The asylum seekers were met by an ambulance in the harbour and Border Force vessel Hurricane returned to the harbour with a fifth group shortly before 1pm.

While the MoD is yet to confirm the official figures for today, it is believed at least 400 people have crossed the Channel in inflatable dinghies and other small craft.

This comes after Friday saw 194 people make the perilous crossing in four boats – an average of 49 people per vessel.

The asylum seekers were met by an ambulance in the harbour and Border Force

A young child being wrapped up in a blanket amid cold and windy conditions this morning

Several groups of migrants were brought ashore at Dover on Border Force vessels, including Hurricane, Ranger and Typhoon, throughout the morning

The MoD is yet to confirm the official figures for today but it is believed at least 400 people have crossed the Channel in inflatable dinghies and other small craft

Migrants were dropped off at the port of Calais where they were taken care of by the border police

Several groups of migrants were brought ashore at Dover on Border Force vessels, including Hurricane, Ranger and Typhoon, throughout the morning.

Women and young children in winter coats and lifejackets could be seen being placed on buses to be taken to the immigration processing centre at Manston, near Ramsgate, Kent.

The arrivals were the first since the previous Friday, September 23, when 656 people were intercepted in 15 separate incidents – with cold conditions strong winds at sea preventing further crossings.

The sudden drop in temperature has already seen one migrant contract hypothermia.

On Thursday, the regional operational centre for surveillance and rescue (CROSS) in Cap Griz-Nez, northern France, located a boat in difficulty off the coast of the Gravelines commune.

Migrants were led along the gangway to the dockside at a former jetfoil terminal, out of sight from the public

At least two Border Force vessels could be seen escorting dozens of migrants into Dover, Kent in the early hours of this morning

The maritime affairs patrol boat, Jeanne Barret, was tasked with rescuing 55 stranded people. Among them was a person in a state of hypothermia who required medical attention.

The migrants were dropped off at the port of Calais where they were taken care of by the border police and the departmental fire and rescue service.

The person with hypothermia was taken care of by the French emergency services.

The number of migrants arriving in the UK this year has already far exceeded 2021’s official total of 28,526.

In 2020 just 8,410 made the crossing of the 21-mile Dover Straits, according to government figures.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke has said: ‘With these shocking record numbers of illegal crossings, getting the small boats crisis under control should be a key priority.

‘With the approach of winter, the seas will get rougher and the weather colder- inevitably the risk of further loss of life will increase. That’s why urgent action is needed to stop these dangerous crossings.’

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