Migrants are found on FERRY in Dover after smuggling themselves aboard at Calais for the 27-mile Channel crossing
Eighteen migrants have been found on a ferry in Dover after smuggling themselves aboard at Calais for the 27-mile journey over the English Channel.
They were discovered aboard the Cotes des Dunes vessel at around lunchtime today on arrival at the busy trade port in Kent.
Emergency services were called to the scene with nine of the group taken to hospital as a precaution. The remaining nine have been transferred to Border Force.
Pictures show at least six ambulance vehicles in the port, with police and Border Force also in attendance.
It follows Priti Patel today unveiling powers for Border Force to turn away small boats, with the total number of migrants to have reached the UK this year at just under 6,600, compared with a record 8,400 in the whole of 2020.
The scene at the port of Dover in Kent after 18 migrants were found on a ferry arriving in the UK at around midday on Tuesday, promoting a large emergency response
A medical worker is seen carrying an oxygen tank at the port in Kent. Nine of the group taken to hospital as a precaution, with the remaining nine transferred to Border Force
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed ambulance staff were on the scene 'following reports of a number of people in need of medical attention'.
The Cotes des Dunes, operated by DFDS, sails between Dover and Calais and has returned to service.
It comes after Border Force intercepted 221 migrants on small boats on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Government's Nationality and Borders Bill, which was introduced to Parliament today, contains provisions to set up offshore processing centres and allow asylum seekers to be sent away from the UK while their claims are determined.
The legislation - dubbed the 'anti-refugee Bill' by campaigners critical of the plans - intends to make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission, with the maximum sentence for those entering the country unlawfully rising from six months' imprisonment to four years.
It means that, for the first time, how someone enters the UK - legally or 'illegally' - will have an impact on how their asylum claim progresses and on their status in the UK if that claim is successful.
Convicted people-smugglers could also face life behind bars, up from the current maximum tariff of 14 years, under the proposals.
According to the papers setting out the proposals of the Bill, Border Force would be given the power to intervene at sea to tackle people-smugglers and turn migrant boats away from the UK but they would need the agreement of other states, like France, to drive them back into foreign waters.
The scene at the port in Kent, with ambulances and police vehicles pictured in attendance. The group was discovered aboard the Cotes des Dunes vessel
Emergency services pictured at the scene in Kent today. It comes after Border Force intercepted 221 migrants on small boats on Sunday
Pictures show at least six ambulance vehicles in the port, with police and Border Force also in attendance at the port in Kent
The documents also suggest officers may be able to use 'reasonable force, if necessary'.
The Bill includes clauses to allow the UK to be able to send asylum seekers to a 'safe third country' and to submit claims at a 'designated place' determined by the Secretary of State.
Although little detail is provided on this, officials believe the Bill gives the potential to allow for offshore processing centres to be set up overseas, akin to policies used in Australia.
This could give rise to reports that the UK is considering sharing a processing centre with Denmark in Rwanda and may even revive speculation over suggestions that Ascension Island could be sought as another destination.
The Home Office has refused to comment on the progress of any negotiations but talks with some countries are said to be ongoing.
A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed ambulance staff were on the scene 'following reports of a number of people in need of medical attention'
Police at the scene today. The Cotes des Dunes, operated by DFDS, sails between Dover and Calais and has returned to service
Police and several ambulances were seen at the port. It comes as Priti Patel today unveiled powers for Border Force to turn away migrant boats
Department policy documents previously published said changes to the law would 'keep the option open, if required in the future, to develop the capacity for offshore asylum processing'.
The stricter rules are part of Home Secretary Priti Patel's pledge to 'fix' the UK's 'broken asylum system' and have been hailed by the Government as 'fundamental reforms' under a 'landmark' Bill as part of its 'fair but firm' new plan for immigration first published in March.
The Home Office has insisted the most 'radical' changes in decades will 'prioritise those most in need of protection while stopping the abuse of the system'.
Tougher punishments are aimed at preventing 'asylum shopping', the department said, as it accused some migrants of 'picking the UK as a preferred destination over others' when asylum could have been claimed earlier in their journey through Europe in another 'safe' country.
But campaigners fear the plans will penalise those who need help the most.
The Bill's unveiling comes after record numbers of people made the perilous journey across the English Channel in small boats so far this year, with nearly 6,000 reaching the UK in the first six months of 2021.
The total figure for 2020 - 8,417 - could be eclipsed within two months if the number of crossings seen in July and August last year are repeated.