Law threating to jail migrant captains for life comes into force

More people have risked choppy seas in the English Channel to reach the UK by small boats 28th June, despite new laws threating to jail migrant captains for life coming into force. 

One group of migrants on a black inflatable dingy was filmed early morning by a passenger on board a cross Channel ferry heading between Calais and Dover.

The passenger saw the boat struggling across the Channel at approximately 7.30am. The witness said: 'It barely seemed to be moving against the speed we were going. Once you see it upfront with your own eyes it hits home just how treacherous it is.'

Hours later, a Border Force vessel disembarked a group of approximately 50 migrants in Dover.

The Border Force vessel Defender brought the group ashore at the harbour at the Port of Dover to be processed by immigration officers.

The Nationality and Borders Act came into force Tuesday 28th, introducing the tougher sentencing for those who smuggle migrants into the UK - up from 14 years imprisonment.

According to the MoD, a total of 153 migrants on four boats were also intercepted by the UK authorities on Monday June 27 with almost 2,800 people arriving during June.