English Channel migrant crossings: Six boats land over weekend

More than 2,000 migrants have made the crossing by small boat since January

The Home Office said 130 people managed to cross the English Channel in six small boats over the weekend.

Forty-nine in three boats were apprehended on Saturday, and 81 in three more boats today.

It said 140 people in five boats were prevented from making the crossing by French authorities between Friday and Sunday.

It brings the total who have crossed since the start of the year to 2,263, according to government figures.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are working closely with our partners in France to stop these unnecessary journeys and the ruthless criminal gangs behind them.

"As a result more than 2,500 people have been prevented from making the dangerous crossing so far this year, and we have also secured 65 small-boat-related prosecutions since the start of 2020."