More than 140 migrants intercepted in Channel - highest number in one day

A record number of migrants crossed the English Channel on Friday.

On 8 May, 145 people were brought ashore - and one boat was carrying 51 people.

A further 82 migrants were picked up on Saturday.

Chris Philp, minister for immigration compliance and the courts, said: "We are all working night and day to dismantle and arrest the criminal gangs who trade in people smuggling.

"The recent increase in crossings is totally unacceptable and it is sickening that smugglers are willing to put people's lives at risk, including children."

In February 102 migrants, including seven children, were intercepted in the English Channel - the highest daily total at the time.

Border officials and coastguards in Britain and France have intercepted numerous attempted crossings in recent months as migrants have repeatedly tried to travel from destinations in Asia and Africa to Britain.

Both countries have agreed to step up efforts to try to stem the flow of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

Earlier this week, Home Secretary Priti Patel held a telephone call with her French counterpart Christophe Castaner after the number of migrants reaching UK shores - or intercepted in UK territorial waters - surged to around 1,200 this year.

A total of 1,900 migrants arrived in the UK by small boat in the whole of 2019.

Sky News has been told that since the coronavirus lockdown began on 23 March, around 700 men, women and children have been intercepted in small boats in British waters and on south coast beaches.

The British government has repeatedly warned immigrants not to attempt to make the dangerous crossing by small boat. Last year, two migrants drowned in separate incidents.

But despite the extra resources - on both sides of the Channel - the numbers attempting the crossing have continued to grow, aided by a sophisticated people-smuggling network which continues to thrive despite dozens of arrests across several European countries.

"These people are fleeing terrifying situations in some of the most dangerous parts of the world. They aim for the UK because they want to be safe," said Clare Moseley, founder of the Care4Calais charity.

The English Channel is the world's busiest shipping lane, with 500 to 600 ships passing through it every day.