Recent attempts by migrants to cross the English Channel into Britain is to be treated as a major incident – Update

The recent attempts by migrants to cross the English Channel into Britain is to be treated as a major incident, the UK’s Home Secretary Sajid Javid said.

Javid said he has taken control of the response to the rising numbers of migrants crossing the sea in small boats, Euronews said.

He asked for an urgent call with his French counterpart to “reaffirm” the continuing need for the UK and France to work closely in tackling the problem.

The country’s border authority connected the crossing attempts with organised criminal gangs.

“Sajid Javid has intervened to ensure everything possible is being done to disrupt and prosecute organised people smuggling gangs and deter migrants from attempting the dangerous crossing, amid concern that it is only a matter of time before people lose their lives,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

The Home Secretary’s announcement follows reports of a further 12 migrants who were picked up by authorities as they crossed the Channel in two separate boats on Friday morning.

One boat was originally spotted by a passenger ferry off the coast of Dover, AP said.

“The number of incidents over recent days is deeply concerning. Some of this is clearly facilitated by organised crime groups while other attempts appear to be opportunistic,” Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said in a statement to Euronews.

Earlier: Britain’s border authorities intercepted a number of small boats containing a total of 40 migrants who attempted to cross the English Channel overnight on Tuesday morning.

The UK Home Office said it deployed resources to “deal with these incidents” and added that evidence suggests organised criminal gang activity is behind the migration attempts.

Euronews reports the Home Office saying “We are working closely with the French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk,” a Home Office spokesperson said.”In total Border Force is aware that 40 migrants have crossed the Channel today (Tuesday 25 December) and are currently in the UK.”

Migrants included two children and people who claimed to be Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan nationals.In one incident, off the coast of Deal, Kent – authorities intercepted a dinghy with 13 on board.Another group of eight migrants arrived in Folkestone and a Border Force cutter was deployed to assist a further dinghy in the Channel with eight people on board.The Home Office said its authorities also assisted French maritime officials in an incident off the coast of France involving a vessel which turned back after an engine failure, with nine people on board.

The Border Force was made aware of a final incident at 9.20am on Tuesday, a small boat with two onboard travelling towards the UK.All 40 migrants underwent a medical assessment.

The adults have been transferred to immigration officials to be interviewed and the two minors have been transferred to social services, the Home Office said.