Young child among migrants crossing the English Channel

A young child was among those making the crossing as winds increase in the English Channel

A small child was among 100 migrants who crossed to the UK on small boats on Monday.

People on at least seven boats were brought ashore by Border Force after being intercepted in the English Channel.

A Home Office spokesperson said 12 suspected people smugglers have been arrested.

The latest crossings came just one day after a migrant was found dead on a French beach.

More than 200 people crossed to the UK over the weekend, while French authorities have prevented 550 from crossing since Saturday.

Wind speeds in the English Channel, which were calm over the weekend, increased on Monday, making the crossing more treacherous.

100 people were brought ashore at Dover after making the crossing in small boats

The man, who was found dead on the beach at Sangatte on Sunday, had almost certainly been trying to cross the Channel, said Pascal Marconville, the prosecutor of nearby town Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Six migrants on two kayaks tied together were also rescued by the French navy off the coast of Calais.

The number of people reaching the UK by boat had fallen in October amid harsher conditions in the Channel.

About 380 people have successfully made the crossing so far this month, compared to a record 1,951 in September.

More than 7,294 people have crossed the English Channel in about 565 boats in 2020.

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