The engines migrants are using to cross the Channel in small boats
The outboard motors migrants are using to sail across the Channel in their small boats: Officials lay out engines used by asylum seekers crossing from France to show scale of the problem – as record numbers continue to land in the UK
- A total of 3,680 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year
- Suella Braverman has visited Rwanda ahead of plans to send migrants there
These photos show the outboard motors used by migrants to cross the Channel in small boats – as it was confirmed nearly 3,700 have arrived in the UK by this method so far this year.
The engines, which have been seized by the authorities, can be seen laid out at a warehouse facility in the Port of Dover, close to where Border Force patrols bring in migrants caught making the crossing.
The startling image showing 28 devices on the ground was taken today – the same day it was revealed 3,680 migrants have arrived in Britain in 86 small boats so far this year.
On Sunday alone 118 migrants crossed the Channel in just three boats which were intercepted by a Border Force vessel.
It comes as Suella Braverman reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the controversial Rwanda scheme – which would send Channel migrants to the African country – during a visit to its capital Kigali.
An aerial view of outboard engines used on small boats to cross the Channel at a warehouse facility in Dover on Monday
The 28 propeller engines were removed from small boats carrying migrants from France to England
Meanwhile, yesterday a French navy vessel was also called out on the same day to rescue a further 25 migrants, including two with hypothermia, at the start of the day and were dropped off in Calais.
Their services were required again later in the day to rescue a boat with 40 asylum seekers aboard.
Sunday’s crossings come after 155 people were detained after arriving in four boats on Saturday, with men, women and children being brought to shore.
One toddler was seen being carried by a Border Force officer up into the immigration processing centre at the former jetfoil terminal at the Kent port.
The weekend crossings bring the total figure so far for 2023 to 3,680 migrants arriving in 86 boats.
The crossings have all come since it was announced that Channel migrants could be hit with a life-time ban on entering Britain under proposed laws.
Tough new measures will see any asylum seeker arriving illegally by small boat indefinitely banned from re-entering the country.
Though the migrants arrived after the bill was introduced they will still be processed in the normal way, according to the Home Office.
Migrants try to start an outboard engine after boarding a smuggler’s boat on a beach near Dunkirk in October last year
Nine migrants drift in the English Channel after the outboard engine on their inflatable dinghy failed
An aerial view of rolled-up inflatable dinghies and engines removed from small boats in Dover on March 6
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The new laws are also expected to further prevent migrants from using human rights laws to avoid removal from Britain.
It comes as Home Secretary Suella Braverman visits Rwanda to reaffirm the government’s commitment to sending asylum seekers arriving by small boat to the country.
The government has already handed over £140 million to the Rwandan Government for the scheme to deport people who arrive in the UK illegally.
It hopes the first migrants will be flown to the African country in the summer.
A total of 45,728 people made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in 1,104 boats last year, compared to 28,526 in 2021.
Officials have predicted that as many as 80,000 people could make the crossing this year.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: ‘The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system.
‘Our priority is to stop this illegal trade, and our new Small Boats Operational Command – bolstered by hundreds of extra staff – is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.
‘We are also going further by introducing legislation which will ensure that those people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and swiftly removed to another country.’
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