Channel crossing numbers exceed 1,300 in past week

173 people were taken off four small boats in the Channel by UK authorities on Thursday.

On Friday, 126 migrants were counted arriving at the Home Office processing centre in Dover harbour.

83 people arrived first on the Border Force Catamaran Ranger, followed by a further 43 on the Border Force vessel Defender.

That brings the total number of people who have crossed the Channel to 1,332 in the past seven days.

They crossed in 35 small boats, taking the number of boats seized so far this year to 407.

Hundreds more migrants are expected to attempt the crossing this weekend, with near perfect weather conditions expected in the Channel.