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Channel migrants: 235 people in 17 vessels stopped in one day Channel migrants: 235 people in 17 vessels stopped in one day
(about 2 hours later)
A total of 235 migrants were intercepted crossing the English Channel on Thursday, the Home Office confirmed - a record for a single day.A total of 235 migrants were intercepted crossing the English Channel on Thursday, the Home Office confirmed - a record for a single day.
Among them was a group of 15, including children and a heavily pregnant woman, that landed on a Kent beach.Among them was a group of 15, including children and a heavily pregnant woman, that landed on a Kent beach.
In total, 17 vessels were apprehended by The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Border Force units.In total, 17 vessels were apprehended by The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Border Force units.
On Friday, a boat with about 17 people on board, including a pregnant woman and children, was spotted by the BBC.On Friday, a boat with about 17 people on board, including a pregnant woman and children, was spotted by the BBC.
Reporter Simon Jones said a kayak and other inflatable vessels had also been reported heading towards the Kent coast. BBC reporter Simon Jones said a kayak and other inflatable vessels had also been reported heading towards the Kent coast.
Including Thursday's total, 3,948 people have crossed the Channel in more than 300 boats so far this year.Including Thursday's total, 3,948 people have crossed the Channel in more than 300 boats so far this year.
The Home Office has not been able to supply a breakdown of genders or nationalities of those who were intercepted. The Home Office has not been able to supply a breakdown of genders or nationalities of those who were intercepted on Thursday.
Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said he shared "the anger and frustration of the public at the appalling number of crossings" on Thursday.Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said he shared "the anger and frustration of the public at the appalling number of crossings" on Thursday.
At the scene
By Simon Jones, BBC News
We took to the sea at 04:00 BST - and shortly after sunrise on Friday the eagle-eyed skipper of our fishing boat spotted something on the horizon.
Motoring toward us is a boat carrying 17 people. They told us they were from Iraq, and there was a pregnant woman on board, along with several children. They were trying to reach Kent.
The Coastguard asked us to shadow them as the Border Force was busy dealing with other boats and kayaks in the Channel.
But after an hour, with the White Cliffs in sight, there was a problem - their engine broke down.
Another Border Force boat though was already on route to pick them up and take them to Dover. As they stepped foot on British soil, they had achieved their goal.
One of the vessels was carrying 26 people.One of the vessels was carrying 26 people.
In one incident, Border Force officers apprehended 15 migrants who had landed at Dungeness beach. In one incident, Border Force officers apprehended 15 migrants who had landed at Dungeness beach on Thursday.
Eyewitness Susan Pilcher told the BBC she had seen three family groups, as well as two single men. Eyewitness Susan Pilcher told the BBC she had seen three family groups - including a woman who appeared to be heavily pregnant - as well as two single men.
One woman appeared to be heavily pregnant, she said.
The French authorities said they had also rescued migrants from several kayaks in their own waters as they headed for the UK.The French authorities said they had also rescued migrants from several kayaks in their own waters as they headed for the UK.
A helicopter was used in the response that saw at least 23 people intercepted and brought back to France.A helicopter was used in the response that saw at least 23 people intercepted and brought back to France.
Thursday's figure breaks a record set only a week ago, when 202 people crossed in 24 hours.Thursday's figure breaks a record set only a week ago, when 202 people crossed in 24 hours.
Mr Philp said: "The crossings are totally unacceptable and unnecessary as France is a safe country.Mr Philp said: "The crossings are totally unacceptable and unnecessary as France is a safe country.
"We work closely with France and I will be in Paris early next week to seek to agree stronger measures with them, including interceptions and returns."We work closely with France and I will be in Paris early next week to seek to agree stronger measures with them, including interceptions and returns.
"This situation simply cannot go on.""This situation simply cannot go on."
He said the only option was to make the route "completely unviable" to deter people from attempting it.He said the only option was to make the route "completely unviable" to deter people from attempting it.
Regarding reports the Navy could be used to patrol the Channel, Chancellor Rishi Sunak told Sky News: "I wouldn't want to speculate on exactly what measures will be put in place.Regarding reports the Navy could be used to patrol the Channel, Chancellor Rishi Sunak told Sky News: "I wouldn't want to speculate on exactly what measures will be put in place.
"It's important that we work closely with our French allies on this situation."It's important that we work closely with our French allies on this situation.
"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 [in France] we can decide on the best next steps to take.""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 [in France] we can decide on the best next steps to take."
An inquiry has been launched into the reasons behind the huge increase in Channel crossings by migrants.An inquiry has been launched into the reasons behind the huge increase in Channel crossings by migrants.
Among the areas the home affairs committee will examine are:Among the areas the home affairs committee will examine are:
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.