150 migrants from 10 boats in English Channel tried to get to UK in the last 24 hours

A record-breaking 150 migrants have been picked up today from 10 boats in the English Channel trying to get to the UK in the last 24 hours, including 50 in one vessel.

The first boat is understood to have been picked up off Kent at around 2am, with 50 migrants believed to have been on it. Conditions were perfect for crossing with calm seas, good visibility and a full moon. 

Official figures are yet to be confirmed by the Home Office - but should the 150 stand it would beat the current record for a single day, which was 102 in February.

They are the latest Channel crossings this month - with 76 refugees already landing in the first week of May.

April also saw a record figure cross the busy Dover Strait shipping lane, with 523 crossing in total.

It comes despite Home Secretary Priti Patel recently announcing a fresh crackdown on crossings - but they have continued. 

Since lockdown was announced, at least 694 migrants have reached Britain - excluding today's crossings.

This year, 1,065 are known to have made the trip over the Channel.