From Reader Anon.. TY!

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At least 1,121 migrants have now crossed to the UK on small boats since the coronavirus lockdown was announced, according to data.

ANOTHER boat is picked up – taking total number to record-breaking 1601 in a month

Tony Smith CBE told committee today he cannot see an ‘immediate end’ to crisis

He also said the Government needs to have a ‘very serious look’ at its capabilities

Another boat carrying 13 migrants was picked up off the Kent coast this morning

Katie Weston and William Cole — Mail Online May 22, 2020

The ex-Border Force chief has today said migrants crossing the English Channel are a ‘major threat’ to UK borders as another boat is picked up today, taking the total number to a record-breaking 601 so far this month.

Tony Smith CBE, a former head of the Border Force, told the Commons home affairs committee that he cannot see an immediate end to the crisis.

He also commented on widely shared footage that some have claimed shows a French Navy ship escorting a migrant dinghy into British waters this week.

It comes as Border Force patrols picked up another boat carrying 13 migrants today, taking the total who have reached British shores to 601 so far this month, with 57 migrants arriving on five boats yesterday and 64 on Wednesday.

The small boat was picked up off the Kent coast at around 2.14am, with the Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft scrambled along with the Dungeness lifeboat and Border Force vessel Hunter.

French authorities also stopped another boat from travelling across the Channel.

At least 1,121 migrants have now crossed to the UK on small boats since the coronavirus lockdown was announced, according to data.