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UK Border Force detains three people trying to cross Channel in boat UK Border Force detains three people trying to cross Channel in boat
(about 3 hours later)
Border Force officers have detained three people as they tried to cross the Channel in a small boat, in the latest example of suspected migrants trying to make their way to Britain by sea.Border Force officers have detained three people as they tried to cross the Channel in a small boat, in the latest example of suspected migrants trying to make their way to Britain by sea.
A Border Force cutter was dispatched to intercept the trio, who are believed to be Iranian nationals, after they were spotted by a passing ferry in the strait of Dover early on Tuesday morning. Agents took them to Dover for processing by immigration officials. All three were wearing lifejackets.A Border Force cutter was dispatched to intercept the trio, who are believed to be Iranian nationals, after they were spotted by a passing ferry in the strait of Dover early on Tuesday morning. Agents took them to Dover for processing by immigration officials. All three were wearing lifejackets.
The rescue will raise concerns that the Channel could become a route of irregular migration on a similar scale as those in the Mediterranean, as seas calm and weather improves over the summer. Similar rescues have already raised concerns that as seas calm and weather improves over the summer the Channel could become a route of irregular migration similar to those ferrying people across the Mediterranean from north Africa and Turkey.
Last month, after the rescue of 18 Albanians and two Britons off the Kent coast, John Vine, a former chief inspector of borders and immigration, warned that lives could be lost unless more boats were deployed to patrol for migrants trying to reach the UK.Last month, after the rescue of 18 Albanians and two Britons off the Kent coast, John Vine, a former chief inspector of borders and immigration, warned that lives could be lost unless more boats were deployed to patrol for migrants trying to reach the UK.
Around the same time, new powers were introduced for Border Force officers allowing them to board boats and arrest anyone they suspect of trying to enter Britain illegally, part of a package of measures ordered earlier this year by the home secretary, Theresa May. However, others have described fears of a surge of seafaring migrants arriving in Britain as overblown. Saira Grant, chief executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said: “The suggestions that the UK is about to see thousands of migrants entering through its sea borders is a misleading, scaremongering tactic. Very few migrants have ever entered the UK through this route. Most refugees stay in mainland Europe, and the few that want to come to the UK have very good reasons, such as family ties.”
Joel Millman, a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration, said the chances of large-scale attempts to reach Britain by sea from Europe were unlikely.
“The apparatus for smuggling we see has been almost entirely in the Mediterranean. It’s long standing, it goes back for years,” he said. The rougher conditions around Britain’s coasts mean makeshift attempts at crossings would be too difficult, Millman said: “You would have to have a pretty serious craft to do it, and you wouldn’t be able to hide it very well ... Authorities would detect the boats too quickly.
He added: “It’s not an area that we are spending time worrying about at the moment. Plus anyone who can access Britain by sea is in a safe place already.”
New powers have been introduced for Border Force officers allowing them to board boats and arrest anyone they suspect of trying to enter Britain illegally, part of a package of measures ordered earlier this year by the home secretary, Theresa May.
The Border Force is waiting for the arrival of a fleet of new 20-metre patrol vessels to strengthen operations against people smugglers, gun runners and drug gangs.The Border Force is waiting for the arrival of a fleet of new 20-metre patrol vessels to strengthen operations against people smugglers, gun runners and drug gangs.
The first of the vessels, which are designed to be more nimble than the cutters, is due to come into operation this summer, with the rest in use by the end of 2017.The first of the vessels, which are designed to be more nimble than the cutters, is due to come into operation this summer, with the rest in use by the end of 2017.
The Home Office said: “Border Force was contacted at 5.23am this morning, Tuesday 7 June, by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency informing us that a small boat had been spotted by a ferry, containing three people wearing lifejackets.The Home Office said: “Border Force was contacted at 5.23am this morning, Tuesday 7 June, by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency informing us that a small boat had been spotted by a ferry, containing three people wearing lifejackets.
“A Border Force cutter was deployed immediately and picked up the individuals on board who are believed to be Iranian nationals. They have since been transported to Dover where processing of the group is under way.”“A Border Force cutter was deployed immediately and picked up the individuals on board who are believed to be Iranian nationals. They have since been transported to Dover where processing of the group is under way.”