Channel migrants: Border Force intercepts 41 on four boats

A Border Force cutter sailed out of Dover early on Sunday

Four small boats carrying 41 migrants have been intercepted in the Channel.

The vessels, which included a kayak carrying two men, were heading for UK shores before being stopped by Border Force, the Home Office said.

A boat carrying 24 migrants - including two children - was intercepted, along with one with five men and one woman onboard.

Nine other people - seven men and two women - were in another boat stopped off the Kent coast.

The migrants were said to be variously Iranian, Afghan, Turkish and Malian.

Migrants intercepted in the Channel were taken to the port of Dover

All have been medically checked and taken to immigration officials for questioning, the Home Office said.

It comes five days after Border Force intercepted what is thought to be the highest number of migrants in a single day amid warnings the closure of a French camp could prompt a spike in Channel crossings.

Immigration officials took charge once on land

On Tuesday, 86 men, women and children attempted the journey in small boats, with some managing to land on beaches before being detained.

• Two boats found after 86 attempted crossing

• Who rescues migrants in the Channel?

• Arrests 'disrupt people-smuggling gang'

Refugee charity Care4Calais warned the imminent closure of a gym in Dunkirk, where up to 1,000 migrants are living, is likely to prompt a spike in crossing attempts.

Despite the calm waters and sunny weather on Sunday, the crossing is still fraught with risk

On Friday morning, French police officers cordoned off an area of wasteland and woodland on the outskirts of Calais, telling those camping there to leave and move their tents.

The wave of migrant camp evictions and the looming clearance of a Dunkirk gym - currently thought to be housing more than 70 families - came after a French court order was issued.

At least 1,499 people, including more than 100 children, have crossed the Channel in small boats since 3 November 2018.

Of those, 1,253 have successfully crossed the Channel this year.

A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.

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