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Migrants with child land on Greatstone beach, Kent | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Twelve migrants, including a 10-year-old child, have been detained after landing on a Kent beach. | |
Nine men, two women and the child arrived at Greatstone after crossing the English Channel in a black dinghy. | |
A Home Office spokesperson said the people "presented themselves" as Iranian nationals after police contacted Border Force officials. | |
They received a medical assessment and were transferred to immigration officials for interview. | |
Witnesses described seeing a large police presence along the quiet stretch of coastline. | |
Chris Matcham said: "I was driving towards New Romney this morning with my sister when a police car came haring past us along the road. | |
"We then saw the police car and van on the sea-side of the road a bit further down. | |
"We saw what we suspected were immigrants standing by the van on the pavement. | |
"Then I went for a walk 30 minutes later and lots of police helicopters were flying overhead." | |
'No easy answers' | 'No easy answers' |
Six men, all Iranian nationals, were found on a beach next to an inflatable boat at Kingsdown on Sunday. | |
Home Secretary Sajid Javid declared a "major incident" on Friday after dozens of people in small boats arrived on the Kent coast over the Christmas period. | |
More than 230 people have attempted the crossing in small boats since November. | More than 230 people have attempted the crossing in small boats since November. |
The rising number of migrants crossing the Channel will be discussed by Mr Javid at a meeting with other senior government officials, the Border Force and the National Crime Agency. | |
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Javid said: "The reasons behind the increased crossings are complicated and in many cases outside of our control. | Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Javid said: "The reasons behind the increased crossings are complicated and in many cases outside of our control. |
"Unfortunately, this means that there are no easy answers. So our response is focused both here in the UK and abroad." | "Unfortunately, this means that there are no easy answers. So our response is focused both here in the UK and abroad." |