This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46714553

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Channel migrants: Sajid Javid returns to UK to deal with situation Channel migrants: UK and France to step up patrols
(about 3 hours later)
Home Secretary Sajid Javid is under increasing pressure to deal with the rising number of migrants crossing the Channel as he returns to the UK. The UK and France are to step up joint patrols and increase surveillance to tackle a rise in the number of migrants trying to reach Britain in small boats.
He has cut short his family Christmas break, but insisted there was "no one easy answer" as what he called a "major incident" unfolds off the south coast. Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who is cutting short a family holiday, agreed a joint action plan with the French interior minister during a phone call.
Labour said the government had "failed to get a grip" and one Tory MP said there had been a "lack of leadership". Six more Iranian men were found on a beach near Dover on Sunday morning.
More than 220 people have attempted the crossing in small boats since November. The National Crime Agency said French authorities prevented a further attempt to cross the Channel on Saturday night.
They include six men, all Iranian nationals, who were found on a beach at Kingsdown, near Deal, in Kent, on Sunday morning. They have now been transferred to immigration officials. Mr Javid has come under growing pressure to act, with Labour accusing the Home Office of a "flawed" strategy and one Conservative MP urging Mr Javid to "get a grip".
'Grave concern' Following a call with his French counterpart, Christophe Castaner, the Home Office said the pair agreed an "enhanced action plan" to be put in place in the coming week.
Mr Javid is arriving back home on Sunday and immigration minister Caroline Nokes said he would be at his desk on New Year's Eve, adding he was "taking control of the situation" and that she had been "in regular contact" with him. It includes disrupting organised trafficking gangs and raising awareness among migrants of the dangers of a Channel crossing.
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said he had spoken by phone to Mr Javid, and that they were working together "to combat Channel crossings". The Home Office did not give details of how this would be done.
Currently, 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.
The Home Office did not say whether the other four cutters would now be called back from search-and-rescue operations in the Mediterranean to patrol waters off England's south coast.
Since November, more than 220 people have attempted to cross the Channel in small boats.
They include six men, all Iranian nationals, who were found on a beach at Kingsdown, near Deal, in Kent, on Sunday morning. They have been transferred to immigration officials.
Mr Javid is expected to arrive back in the UK on Sunday, in time to chair a meeting on Monday with senior government officials, the Border Force and the National Crime Agency.
On Twitter, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner confirmed he had spoken by phone to Mr Javid, and that they were working together "to combat Channel crossings".
In a tweet, Mr Javid thanked him for the "partnership", saying the UK and France would "build on our joint efforts to deter illegal immigration - protecting our borders and human life".In a tweet, Mr Javid thanked him for the "partnership", saying the UK and France would "build on our joint efforts to deter illegal immigration - protecting our borders and human life".
The two are expected to meet face-to-face in January to assess whether further action is required.
Pre-Brexit 'rush'
Many of the migrants are thought to be Iranian or Syrian. A BBC South East investigation last month found that people smugglers were telling migrants they must enter before "the borders shut properly" after Brexit.Many of the migrants are thought to be Iranian or Syrian. A BBC South East investigation last month found that people smugglers were telling migrants they must enter before "the borders shut properly" after Brexit.
One man from Afghanistan told the BBC that "there is a rush" and "everyone is talking about it, saying we need to get in quick in case the security gets tighter". One man from Afghanistan told the BBC that there was "a rush" and "everyone is talking about it, saying we need to get in quick in case the security gets tighter".
Mr Javid has said it was of "grave concern" that people have been attempting to make the dangerous journey, including 12 men who were detained off the coast of Dover on Friday.
One refugee group said they believed most of those trying to cross were Kurdish people from Iran.One refugee group said they believed most of those trying to cross were Kurdish people from Iran.
Bridget Chapman of Kent Refugee Action Network said they could have genuine asylum claims and should not have to "risk their lives". Bridget Chapman, of Kent Refugee Action Network, said they could have genuine asylum claims and should not have to "risk their lives".
"The government needs to find a way to process their claims in France instead and then transfer them," she said. She said the government needed to find a way to process their claims in France instead - and then transfer them.
She said it was "a miracle" there had been no fatalities, as although the weather had been settled, the boats used to transport migrants were "entirely unsuitable" and the water was extremely cold. She said it was "a miracle" that there had been no fatalities, as although the weather had been settled, the boats used to transport migrants were "entirely unsuitable" and the water was extremely cold.
"I've seen pictures of people with no lifejackets on - it's terrifying," she said. "I hope the government can find the political will to make sure we don't have people drowning off the coast of the UK.""I've seen pictures of people with no lifejackets on - it's terrifying," she said. "I hope the government can find the political will to make sure we don't have people drowning off the coast of the UK."
Ms Chapman thought more people were using boats as security had been tightened around Calais - making it more difficult for people to use lorries on ferries or trains. Ms Chapman thought more people were using boats as security had been tightened around Calais, making it more difficult for people to use lorries on ferries or trains.
The mild weather may also have encouraged more to try the sea route, she said.The mild weather may also have encouraged more to try the sea route, she said.
Chris Hogben, from the National Crime Agency, said it was new to see this level of Iranian migration and these groups would be paying serious organised criminals "quite a bit of money" to get across.Chris Hogben, from the National Crime Agency, said it was new to see this level of Iranian migration and these groups would be paying serious organised criminals "quite a bit of money" to get across.
He said his officers were also seeing more migrants organise the crossing themselves, either by buying or stealing a boat, and he expected to see more attempts using that method in the coming weeks.He said his officers were also seeing more migrants organise the crossing themselves, either by buying or stealing a boat, and he expected to see more attempts using that method in the coming weeks.
Some MPs have called for more vessels to be deployed in the Channel, but Mr Javid said it was "vital we strike a balance between protecting [migrants] and protecting our borders".Some MPs have called for more vessels to be deployed in the Channel, but Mr Javid said it was "vital we strike a balance between protecting [migrants] and protecting our borders".
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.
The home secretary said he wanted to avoid encouraging more people to take the risk of attempting the crossing and was keeping the number of cutters "under close review".The home secretary said he wanted to avoid encouraging more people to take the risk of attempting the crossing and was keeping the number of cutters "under close review".
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the armed forces were ready to offer help if needed.Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the armed forces were ready to offer help if needed.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, writing in the Sunday Mirror, said Mr Javid must explain how the government intended to tackle people smugglers. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, writing in the Sunday Mirror, said the Home Office's strategy was "flawed", with the "focus on deterring refugees, thinking that the issues in the Mediterranean would never reach our shores".
She said the Home Office's strategy was "flawed", with the "focus on deterring refugees, thinking that the issues in the Mediterranean would never reach our shores".
'Joint security zone''Joint security zone'
Charlie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover, said there was a risk of there being a tragedy in the Channel and that it was vital to work with French authorities, suggesting a "joint security zone". Charlie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover, said he wanted to work with France to find the safe houses where people were being trafficked to, as well as identify where the traffickers are getting their boats from and stop them setting off for England.
He said he wanted to work with France to find safe houses people are being trafficked to, as well as identify where the traffickers are getting their boats from and stop them setting off for England. "If we don't act and stop it now, sooner or later there's a great risk of a tragedy in the middle of the English Channel," he said.
"We've got to remember it's an important humanitarian thing because if we don't act and stop it now, sooner or later there's a great risk of a tragedy in the middle of the English Channel," he added.
Rehman Chishti, Tory MP for Gillingham and Rainham, told the Sunday Telegraph there had been a "lack of leadership to get a grip on the issue".Rehman Chishti, Tory MP for Gillingham and Rainham, told the Sunday Telegraph there had been a "lack of leadership to get a grip on the issue".
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".
The Church of England has called for more compassion over the issue. The Right Rev Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover, told the Observer: "It is crucial that we all remember that we are dealing with human beings here. The Church of England has called for more compassion. The Right Rev Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover, told the Observer: "It is crucial that we all remember that we are dealing with human beings here.
"Across the nation, we have been celebrating the season of hope and goodwill as we remember Christ's birth - let's not forget so soon that every person is precious.""Across the nation, we have been celebrating the season of hope and goodwill as we remember Christ's birth - let's not forget so soon that every person is precious."