More migrants picked up crossing Channel in one day than whole of December last year

RESCUE services pick up migrants as figures show more crossed the Channel on one day than in the whole of December last year.

The RNLI collected 274 people in 11 boats on foggy Sunday.

This compares with 211 in 16 boats in December 2020.

So far this month, 1,327 migrants have been detained by UK Border Force.

Overall, 27,938 migrants have been detained in 2021.

Clandestine Channel threat commander Dan O’Mahoney said: "Unbelievably, these gangs continue their deadly trade with more crossings taking place today, shamelessly putting lives at risk.

“People planning to make the journey should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach instead of risking their lives by crossing the Channel from a safe EU country.

“The Government’s New Plan for Immigration will be firm on those coming here via illegal routes and fair for those using safe and legal routes."