People smugglers urge migrants to make Channel crossing before Brexit 'closes the door'

Another 120 migrants streamed into Dover on Tuesday as people smugglers urge hundreds to make the Channel crossing now before Brexit 'closes the door'.

The Home Office confirmed Border Force and partner agencies intercepted eight boats while the Coastguard earlier said it was dealing with 'multiple incidents'.

So far this year, at least 3,510 migrants have made the illegal crossing from France, compared to around 1,850 in 2019.  

Border Force sent out vessels Seeker and Hunter from Dover to deal with the small boats crossing the busiest shipping lane in the world.

One boat intercepted around 11am was carrying a total of 36 people, including 26 males and 10 females.

On Sunday a former Border Force chief said that a failure by the UK to reach a new agreement with France on how to deal with migrant crossings could lead to numbers reaching 'crisis' levels.

Tony Smith said the UK and France need to agree a treaty with a joint patrol whereby migrants picked up in the Channel can be returned to France to have asylum claims considered there.

Last Thursday, a single-day record of 202 people in 20 boats landed.

It follows the general secretary of the Immigration Service Union, Lucy Moreton, saying earlier this year that people smugglers and traffickers are using Brexit as a 'driver' to encourage people to make the crossing.