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10-year-old child detained after landing on Kent beach

A group of 12 migrants including a 10-year-old child were detained (PA Images)
A group of 12 migrants including a 10-year-old child were detained (PA Images)

A 10-year-old child is among a group of 12 migrants who have been detained after landing on a Kent beach, the Home Office said.

Nine men, two women and the child are believed to have arrived at Greatstone in a black dinghy on Monday morning.

Witnesses described seeing a large police presence along the quiet stretch of coastline.

Chris Matcham said: “I was driving towards New Romney this morning with my sister when a police car came haring past us along the road.

“We then saw the police car and van on the sea side of the road a bit further down.

“We saw what we suspected were immigrants standing by the van on the pavement. I think we saw four or five but couldn’t see for sure as we were driving past.

“Then I went for a walk 30 minutes later and lots of police helicopters were flying overhead. The dinghy was empty and the migrants were gone.

“The police van was gone, too.”

The Border Force intercepts a migrant dinghy off the Kent coast (Twitter/Susan Pilcher via Reuters)
The Border Force intercepts a migrant dinghy off the Kent coast (Twitter/Susan Pilcher via Reuters)

Kent Police said officers were called at 8.16am to a report of a group of suspected migrants in Coast Drive, Greatstone.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Border Force was contacted by Kent Police at around 8.25am today, Monday 31 December.

“Border Force officers were deployed to assist with a group of 12 migrants at Greatstone, Kent.

“The group consisted of nine men, two women and a 10-year-old child. They have presented themselves as Iranian nationals.

“They all received a medical assessment and have now been transferred to immigration officials for interview.”

The latest incident comes after Home Secretary Sajid Javid cut short a family holiday in South Africa to return to the UK to deal with the increase in arrivals of migrants, which he declared a major incident.

Labour MP criticised Mr Javid for his handling of the issue, accusing him of whipping up sentiment against the migrants.

He said: “Make no mistake, this is not in response to genuine concern for human life.

“This is Sajid Javid imitating Donald Trump’s “migrant caravan” manufactured emergency to whip up fear before the Brexit vote. Desperate and cynical.”