Hi-tech drones will be used to crack down on migrants crossing Channel in small boats

HI-TECH drones are to be used to crack down on the gangs behind the Channel boat migrants.

Home Office chiefs are seeking gadgets that can take high quality videos while flying out of sight.

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The images must be sharp enough to help prosecute traffickers.

Drones were previously used just to scan seas.

Ministers now want to hire firms for “a wider intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance package to collect high-quality footage of criminality to support prosecutions”.

Contract details insist they “must be capable of detecting, identifying and classifying a broad range of targets, including people, vehicles, and vessels”.

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A Home Office invitation for tenders said: “Aerial surveillance is required as part of a wider Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance package to support decision making and the tasking and coordination of operational assets; and to collect high-quality footage of criminality to support potential prosecutions.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The use of aircraft for search and rescue operations in the Channel is vital for preserving life at sea. They help to secure our borders by preventing uncontrolled landings and ensuring we identify everyone attempting to cross the Channel by small boat.

“These dangerous crossings undermine our border security and threaten lives, while lining the pockets of criminal gangs. This contract will support our mission to secure our borders.”

So far this year more than 33,000 migrants have illegally crossed the channel.

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Last month three men who made several failed attempts to transport migrants across the Channel were convicted following a National Crime Agency investigation.

Freddy Lawrence, 57, of Folkestone pleaded guilty and Keith Baigent, 63, also from Folkestone, and 64-year-old Paul Giglia, from Cheriton were convicted in November to assisting unlawful immigration.

All three men are due to be sentenced in the new year.