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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Migrants' found on boat off Dover included toddler | 'Migrants' found on boat off Dover included toddler |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Another boat with suspected migrants on board has been picked up by the coastguard off the Kent coast. | Another boat with suspected migrants on board has been picked up by the coastguard off the Kent coast. |
| The Home Office confirmed there were seven men, one woman and a toddler on board the "small open boat". They are believed to be Iranian. | |
| The coastguard was alerted to the vessel "in distress in the south west shipping lane" at 04:30 GMT. | The coastguard was alerted to the vessel "in distress in the south west shipping lane" at 04:30 GMT. |
| It is the third discovery of suspected migrants at or near the Port of Dover this week. | It is the third discovery of suspected migrants at or near the Port of Dover this week. |
| On Tuesday, a French fishing boat thought to have been stolen was stopped as it entered the Port of Dover with 17 suspected migrants on board. | On Tuesday, a French fishing boat thought to have been stolen was stopped as it entered the Port of Dover with 17 suspected migrants on board. |
| In a separate incident, seven suspected migrants were also found in a lorry at Dover docks. | In a separate incident, seven suspected migrants were also found in a lorry at Dover docks. |
| 'Desperate migrants' | 'Desperate migrants' |
| The latest boat to be found was brought into Dover Harbour and the occupants have been handed over to Border Force officers. | The latest boat to be found was brought into Dover Harbour and the occupants have been handed over to Border Force officers. |
| Speaking on Wednesday, Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke urged the Home Office to tackle the growing problem of "these attempts to break into Britain", which were coming "thick and fast and becoming more shocking by the day". | Speaking on Wednesday, Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke urged the Home Office to tackle the growing problem of "these attempts to break into Britain", which were coming "thick and fast and becoming more shocking by the day". |
| "That people would take the risk of crossing the Channel on a small open boat with a toddler on board shows just how desperate they are. | "That people would take the risk of crossing the Channel on a small open boat with a toddler on board shows just how desperate they are. |
| "It underlines yet again why we need to increase the number of vessels patrolling our border. Having just two cutters is simply not enough of a deterrent. | "It underlines yet again why we need to increase the number of vessels patrolling our border. Having just two cutters is simply not enough of a deterrent. |
| "The Home Office must act urgently to tackle this growing problem and boost our borders budget," he said. | "The Home Office must act urgently to tackle this growing problem and boost our borders budget," he said. |
| In a statement the Home Office confirmed a coastal patrol vessel (CPV) had intercepted a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB). | |
| A spokesperson said: "CPV Hunter escorted the RHIB with nine people on board to Dover's Western Docks where they were met by Border Force and immigration officials. | |
| "The nine, consisting of seven men, a woman and a child, have presented themselves as Iranian nationals and are now being assessed by paramedics." |