Statistics issued by the Ministry of Defence confirm that refugees and would-be migrants are continuing to arrive across the English Channel from France in small boats – mainly rubber dinghies – in record numbers. Over 8,600 in August, and a similar number in September, made the hazardous crossing. 

High winds and choppy waters bring about temporary cessation. Voyages are invariably renewed in the next calm period. In the week 19-25 September there were three days with no crossings; over the four other days there were a total of 7,219 arrivals on 162 separate boats – an average of 45 per boat, which has been the norm in recent months.

Already the aggregate figure for this year 2022 has exceeded the record number of 29,000+ recorded in 2021, with no indication that any government action on either side of the English Channel is having any effect.

Most boats are intercepted by Royal Navy patrols, less often by local lifeboat rescue vessels, and are either towed into a landing on the coast or transfer their human cargo out on the high seas. However, on 13 September a boat containing around 30 men, escorted by an overhead Ministry of Defence helicopter but otherwise self-propelled, landed on the beach opposite Marine Court on St Leonards sea front.

Local police were alerted, as were the dedicated Beach Response team of Hastings Community of Sanctuary (HCoS), who reached the beach within 15 minutes of landing to provide immediate snacks, drinks and blankets. Police transferred the boat passengers in small batches to a nearby indoor location where they were given warm clothing and hot food, supplied by a local restaurant, before travelling on in the custody of Border Force officers to have their asylum claims processed in Dover. 


We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.

- Advertisement -
https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpgHIPNewsasylum,Beach Response team,Border Force officer,English Channel,Hastings Community of Sanctuary,Ministry of Defence,refugeeStatistics issued by the Ministry of Defence confirm that refugees and would-be migrants are continuing to arrive across the English Channel from France in small boats – mainly rubber dinghies – in record numbers. Over 8,600 in August, and a similar number in September, made the hazardous crossing.  High winds...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper