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Three English Channel 'migrants' brought ashore Three English Channel migrants brought ashore
(about 1 hour later)
Three suspected migrants spotted in a small boat in the Channel have been brought ashore by the Border Force. Three migrants spotted in a small boat in the Channel have been brought ashore by the Border Force.
The group were about 10 miles (16.5km) off the French coast when authorities in France spotted them after midnight. The men were about 10 miles (16.5km) off France when French authorities spotted them after midnight. the Prefecture Maritime de la Manche said.
Border Force officials recovered the group in British waters, the Prefecture Maritime de la Manche said. Border Force officials brought the group ashore at Dover.
Forty migrants, including two children, were rescued in five incidents in the Channel on Christmas Day. The Home Office has blamed organised crime. Forty migrants, including two children, were rescued on Christmas Day. The Home Office has blamed organised crime, but Dover's MP has demanded action.
Coastguards said they were not involved in the latest incident on Boxing Day.Coastguards said they were not involved in the latest incident on Boxing Day.
Busiest shipping lane
Forty migrants in Christmas Day rescuesForty migrants in Christmas Day rescues
Why are Iranians crossing the Channel in dinghies?Why are Iranians crossing the Channel in dinghies?
A Home Office spokesman said: "Evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel.A Home Office spokesman said: "Evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel.
"We are working closely with the French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk.""We are working closely with the French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk."
The Home Office has not yet said where the latest group came from. The Home Office said the three rescued by French teams overnight were transferred to UK authorities and brought to Dover.
The group, who presented themselves as Iranian, were medically assessed and passed to immigration officials, the spokesman said.
Those rescued on Christmas Day presented themselves as Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan.Those rescued on Christmas Day presented themselves as Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan.
A statement from the French authorities said a British Border Force vessel searched for the group and picked them up at about 02:00 GMT. 'Incredibly dangerous'
The statement warned migrants who plan to cross the the Dover-Calais strait - the world's busiest shipping lane - they were endangering lives. Dover's Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has said the Home Office and National Crime Agency "do not appear to be on top of this situation".
He said: "With well over 100 migrants having broken into Britain in recent weeks they need urgently to explain what they are doing to put a stop to these crossings.
"This is an incredibly dangerous crossing to make in the middle of winter.
"Our volunteer lifeboat crews are being called out nearly every day - even during Christmas.
"The British and French authorities must get a grip and find and stop the traffickers behind these crossings before there is a tragedy in the English Channel."
A statement from the French authorities also warned migrants planning to cross the the Dover-Calais strait - the world's busiest shipping lane - they were endangering lives.