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Migrants arrive in Dover after being rescued by Border Force

More pictures have emerged of a group of migrants being brought to safety at Dover Marina this morning.

Today marks the 10th day in a row that migrants have arrived in the town after being discovered in the Channel by Border Force - despite Home Secretary Priti Patel’s vow to make the route “unviable”.

Suspected migrants arriving on a RHIB at Dover Marina this morning
Suspected migrants arriving on a RHIB at Dover Marina this morning

The group were brought into the marina on a RHIB, which then returned to sea.

They were then seen walking up the gangway with officers and entering the welfare building.

There they will be assessed for symptoms of coronavirus, as is protocol.

The Home Office has been approached for more details about today's crossings.

Last week it emerged the government has asked for military assistance, which so far has taken the form of two RAF planes.

The boat returned to sea after dropping the group off
The boat returned to sea after dropping the group off

But the proposals to send armed forces to the English Channel to deal with small boat crossings have come under fire from France.

Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart said sending the Royal Navy into the English Channel to deal with migrant crossings is a “declaration of maritime war”.

Meanwhile Kent County Council said it could be just “days away” from being unable to look after more asylum-seeking children arriving on its shores.

It comes after 71 migrants arrived in the UK yesterday, travelling aboard six boats.

Hundreds of migrants have crossed the dangerous waters of the Channel on small boats in the last 10 days.

The group were spotted walking up the gangway and entering the welfare building
The group were spotted walking up the gangway and entering the welfare building

The numbers peaked on August 6 when 235 made it to the UK - a single-day record.

Ms Patel’s newly appointed Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, Dan O’Mahoney, said: “These crossings are dangerous and unnecessary and I am determined to stop them.

“The minister and I met with French officials in Paris on Tuesday for discussions on how to advance joint working on making the small boats route for illegal migration unviable.

“We will continue to go after the heinous criminals and organised crime networks putting people’s lives at risk.”

The Government’s handling of migrant crossings came under fire from Labour, which accused it of lacking “competence and compassion”.

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said on Wednesday that it had resulted in thousands risking their lives in dangerous waters.

In a letter to Ms Patel, Mr Thomas-Symonds said ministers must provide solutions rather than “empty headlines” to tackle the issue.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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