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Channel migrants: Dover visit for minister amid 'crisis' Channel migrants: Dover visit for minister amid 'crisis'
(35 minutes later)
Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes is to visit Dover amid growing criticism of the government's handling of the surge in migrants crossing the Channel. Immigration minister Caroline Nokes is to visit Dover amid growing criticism of the government's handling of the surge in migrants crossing the Channel.
The home secretary declared a "major incident" after more than 220 people had attempted the crossing in small boats since the start of November. Home Secretary Sajid Javid has declared a "major incident" after more than 220 people tried the crossing in small boats since the start of November.
Dover MP Charlie Elphicke has called for more patrol boats in the Channel.Dover MP Charlie Elphicke has called for more patrol boats in the Channel.
He said the Home Office "has not been taking this seriously enough and the crisis has continued to escalate".He said the Home Office "has not been taking this seriously enough and the crisis has continued to escalate".
It comes after another 12 people were detained off the coast of Dover in the early hours of Friday morning.It comes after another 12 people were detained off the coast of Dover in the early hours of Friday morning.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has been appointed "gold commander" to take control of the response and will now receive daily updates from the Home Office. Mr Javid has been appointed "gold commander" to take control of the response and will now receive daily updates from the Home Office.
He will talk to his French counterpart about the situation over the weekend.He will talk to his French counterpart about the situation over the weekend.
Mr Javid has also asked the Border Force to consider whether employing more vessels would act as a deterrent or encourage more people to make the crossing.Mr Javid has also asked the Border Force to consider whether employing more vessels would act as a deterrent or encourage more people to make the crossing.
Only one of the Border Force's fleet of five cutters - specialist boats which the force describes as being capable of rescuing several migrant boats at the same time - is currently operational in the Dover Strait.Only one of the Border Force's fleet of five cutters - specialist boats which the force describes as being capable of rescuing several migrant boats at the same time - is currently operational in the Dover Strait.
Ms Nokes and Mr Elphicke are to discuss the situation with Border Force officers in Dover.Ms Nokes and Mr Elphicke are to discuss the situation with Border Force officers in Dover.
Mr Elphicke said "we need a clear strategy to defeat the traffickers", adding that the French authorities should step up action on their side of the Channel.Mr Elphicke said "we need a clear strategy to defeat the traffickers", adding that the French authorities should step up action on their side of the Channel.
Officials on both sides of the Channel have warned of the dangers of crossing what is the world's busiest shipping lane in a small boat.Officials on both sides of the Channel have warned of the dangers of crossing what is the world's busiest shipping lane in a small boat.
Police have likened the journey to trying to "cross the M25 at rush-hour on foot".Police have likened the journey to trying to "cross the M25 at rush-hour on foot".
Many of the migrants are Iranian or Syrian.Many of the migrants are Iranian or Syrian.
More than five million Syrians have left their country since its civil war started in 2011, and in the past two years, Iranian citizens have made more UK asylum applications than any other nationality, according to Home Office figures.
A BBC South East investigation last month found that people smugglers were telling migrants they must enter before "the borders shut properly" after Brexit.A BBC South East investigation last month found that people smugglers were telling migrants they must enter before "the borders shut properly" after Brexit.
British and French authorities have both said the rise in crossings is the result of "organised criminality" and "mafia networks".British and French authorities have both said the rise in crossings is the result of "organised criminality" and "mafia networks".
Responding to the suggestion that bringing rescued migrants to the UK could encourage people to attempt the journey, Steve Valdez-Symonds, from Amnesty International, said that was "nonsense".Responding to the suggestion that bringing rescued migrants to the UK could encourage people to attempt the journey, Steve Valdez-Symonds, from Amnesty International, said that was "nonsense".
"If people are in danger of their lives then they need to be saved," he told the BBC."If people are in danger of their lives then they need to be saved," he told the BBC.
The people found off the Kent coast since November:The people found off the Kent coast since November: