A baby and two children are among a group of 13 migrants found on a small boat in the English Channel.

Border Force vessels intercepted it at about 3am off the Kent coast, after a tip-off from French authorities, and brought them back to Dover.

The group is thought to be from Iran and Iraq and are being questioned by immigration officers.

It comes after 15 people were found on two boats yesterday.

Four people were arrested following the incidents.

It has also emerged many groups of migrants are dialling 999 to be rescued as they approach the UK.

The revelation came from Kent Police Chief Constable Alan Pughsley as he appeared before the home affairs select committee yesterday.

The latest findings bring the total number of people who have arrived in Britain by small craft either by themselves or after being rescued at sea since November 8 to 335 in 39 incidents.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Border Force responded to an incident in the Channel involving a small boat containing 13 people.

"The group were brought to Dover and were transferred to immigration officials for interview.

“Anyone crossing the Channel – one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world – is taking a huge risk with their life and those of their children.

“Since the Home Secretary declared a major incident in December we have tripled the number of cutters operating in the Channel, agreed a joint action plan with France and increased activity out of the joint coordination and information centre in Calais."