Up to 80 migrants in eight boats risked their lives to cross the Channel during the weekend’s sunny weather despite lockdown in both UK and France
- Eight boats were intercepted in the Channel despite hefty movement restriction
- Sunny weather in the South East of England may have contributed to the spike
- It came after first cases of Covid-19 confirmed in migrant camps in north France
At least 80 migrants risked their lives to try to cross the Channel as the UK experienced a sunny weekend in lockdown.
Despite hefty restrictions on movement in both the UK and France, eight boats were intercepted in the Channel.
Sunny weather in the South East of England may have contributed to the spike in attempts to cross the narrow Dover straits.
Despite hefty restrictions on movement in both the UK and France, eight boats were intercepted in the Channel (pictured on Saturday)
Overall nearly 150 migrants – including eight children – have attempted the perilous journey during the two weeks since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced nationwide restrictions on movement.
The spike in crossing attempts over the weekend came after the first cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in migrant camps in northern France, raising fears of a ‘humanitarian disaster’.
Dover and Deal Tory MP Natalie Elphicke said the crossings were ‘entirely unacceptable’ and that migrants must not be taken to Dover.
In the latest crossings over the weekend, Border Force intercepted five boats – four on Saturday and one on Sunday.
In the latest crossings over the weekend, Border Force intercepted five boats – four on Saturday (pictured) and one on Sunday
At about 2.20am on Saturday Border Force intercepted an inflatable boat carrying 15 men.
At 5.40am, a group of 12 men and three women were found on board one boat, while another boat was intercepted carrying nine men at the same time.
At about 6am, Border Force rescued a group of 13 men and one woman from a fourth inflatable boat.
At about 5am on Sunday, Border Force were again in action, intercepting a boat carrying 12 men.
All those on board were taken to Dover where it is expected they would have been monitored for coronavirus symptoms.
Overall nearly 150 migrants – including eight children – have attempted the perilous journey during the two weeks since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced nationwide restrictions on movement. Pictured on Thursday
French authorities also intercepted 15 migrants – including two women and a child – off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer on Saturday.
Speaking on Saturday after the first batch of crossings, Ms Elphicke said: ‘With Covid-19 known to be infecting the French camps, it is concerning that 53 more were able to motor over from France this morning.
‘It is entirely unacceptable that Border Force officers and our community should be put at risk by people unlawfully breaking into Britain.
‘Every illegal entrant must be immediately returned to France. If they are not returned, they must immediately be quarantined to protect public health.
‘Illegal entrants must not be brought into Dover at this time. We cannot put our country’s vital supply line at risk during the pandemic.’