Migrants make Christmas Day bid for Britain as FIVE boats intercepted across UK coast

Five vessels were intercepted by Border Force and French authorities as they made their way towards the Kent coast from France. The Home Office believes “organised criminal gang activity” is behind the illegal migration attempts. A Home Office spokesman said: “Border Force has intercepted a number of boats containing migrants attempting to cross the Channel overnight and this morning (Tuesday 25 December), and has deployed resources to deal with these incidents.

“The evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel.

“We are working closely with the French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk.”

There has been a surge of illegal migrant boat crossings to England in recent weeks, wth many of those making the perilous crossing claiming they were Iranian.

Nine of the migrants picked up on Christmas Day presented themselves as Iranian.

Eleven 11 Iraqis and one Afghan female were also among the number, with two minors rescued.

The first group of migrants was found at 2.40am after heading towards in Folkestone.

They received medical assessment and have now been transferred to immigration officials for interview.

At 5.50am, Border Force was contacted by Cherbourg MOC with a cutter sent too assist a dinghy in the Channel with eight people on board.

Then at 6.50am, Kent Police Ports Unit alerted Border Force to a dinghy off the coast ofDeal with 13 people on board.

All received medical assessment with one minor transferred to social services.

A fourth small boat holding two people was located after Border Force was contacted at 9.20am.

Another incident in French waters saw a vessel containing nine migrants returned to France due to engine failure after an incident in the Channel.

All nine migrants are now in the UK and were transferred for assessment at Coastguard tent.

This is a breaking story. More to follow.