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Up to 16 migrants land at Kingsdown Beach in small boat and flee

A boatload of between 14-16 migrants has been spotted on Kingsdown Beach this morning.

The males, aged between 20-30, arrived at around 9.40am in a small dinghy which they abandoned on the shingle.

Between 14-16 migrants were seen on a beach in Kingsdown this morning
Between 14-16 migrants were seen on a beach in Kingsdown this morning

Kristian Thrale watched the boat arrive and saw the men flee.

He said: "I was sat on the bench and I was walking back from near the golf course.

"I could see a boat coming quite quick towards the beach, I saw about 16 inmigrants jump off and walk to shore. They left the boat in the water floating but me and a couple off women pulled it on to the shore because we didn't want it floating off.

"They went off towards Underdown Road by the public toilets and walked in the direction of Kingsdown Golf Club when they disappeared.

"I don't know if there was a car waiting there for them."

The suspected migrants abandoned the small boat in the water which was pulled onto the shingle by passers by
The suspected migrants abandoned the small boat in the water which was pulled onto the shingle by passers by

It comes two days after violence broke out in Dover as anti-immigration protestors clashed with police .

Problems had been anticipated after both pro and anti-migrant factions announced their intention to hold events in the town.

The cohort, led by activist Little Patriot, occupied a route from the port to the Train Station.

A simultaneous demonstration - a Stand in Solidatiry - was held by Kent Anti-Racism Network in the Market Square.

It is understood that Border Force officers located a number of them.

Between 14-16 migrants came ashore at Kingsdown and fled, leaving their small boat in the water. Picture Kristian Thrale
Between 14-16 migrants came ashore at Kingsdown and fled, leaving their small boat in the water. Picture Kristian Thrale

The Home Office has been asked to comment and provide figures of how many individuals officer apprehended.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Police assisted Border Force following a report of suspected migrants seen near Undercliff Road, Kingsdown at 9.50am on Monday 7 September 2020."

The migrant crisis this summer has sparked action from Dover MP Natalie Elphicke who last Tuesday described Dover as the "national centre for illegal crossing route" in the House of Commons.

Her analysis of how the Home Office can stop the landings consists of three parts, agreed by the Home Office minister. These are: Stopping the boats before they leave French shores; returning and turning around the boats in the channel; and when the migrants arrive in England returning them as soon as possible to France and other countries.

A Home Office Minister said some new techniques are being trialled on the water and they are prepared to legislate.

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