Lifeboat carries migrants including a 16-day-old baby girl ashore in Kent amid warm weather surge - Daily Mail

French police make a mockery of £54m patrol deal as they stand and watch as migrants leave Calais for Britain unchallenged - before more than 40 including a 16-day-old baby girl from Iraq are helped ashore by RNLI lifeboat in Kent

• Border Force pick up 42 migrants after successful crossing in Dungeness, Kent
• RNLI lifeboat rescued the large group in dinghies at around 2pm on Saturday 
• Among those who survived perilous crossing was a 16-day-old girl from Iraq 
• Comes as armed French police accused of 'standing by and watching' as dozens of migrants, en route to England, piled into inflatable boats in Calais this week

By Jacob Thorburn For Mailonline

Published: 16:06 BST, 9 October 2021 | Updated: 16:55 BST, 9 October 2021

French police have come under intense criticism for watching scores of migrants leave the shores of Calais 'unchallenged', after more people successfully made the perilous journey across the English channel on Saturday.

At least 40 migrants, including a baby who was less than a month old, were picked up off the coast after a small boat crossing off the coast of Dungeness, Kent today. 

Eyewitnesses reported seeing increased activity from mid-morning, with the lifeboat arriving ashore at approximately 2pm.  

French officials are said to be launching an investigation after armed police officers were accused of standing by and watching as dozens of migrants departed Calais this week

Armed French police officers (left) watch on from 100 yards away as scores of migrants (right) begin their perilous journey across the English Channel in Calais, France

Among those who survived the perilous journey was a 16-day-old girl from Iraq, who was pictured on the rocky beach cradled in white blankets in the arms of a Border Force official.

It comes as footage broadcasted on Sky News this week showed migrants leaving Calais unchallenged by armed police - in what is likely to be a fresh blow to Anglo-French relations.

Dozens of people were seen piling into inflatable rafts, dinghies - and even a canoe - in their desperate bid to make it across the English Channel, with French security 'stood by and watched'. 

Less than three months ago, the UK agreed to hand France an extra £54m in a bid to curb the record-breaking number of migrant landings. 

A the Tory annual conference earlier this week, Home Secretary Priti Patel described France as a 'safe country' and reiterated her desire to 'turn back the boats'. 

After evading French security at first light, the migrants piled into dinghies and spent nine hours crossing the English Channel, before they were picked up by immigration officers this afternoon.

A 16-day-old girl from Iraq is pictured on the shores of Dungeness, Kent after being rescued by Border Force

An RNLI lifeboat carries approximately 40 migrants ashore at Dungeness in Kent after a successful small boat crossing in the English Channel

After evading French security at first light, the migrants piled into dinghies and spent nine hours crossing the English Channel, before they were picked up by British immigration officers this afternoon

Ruthless people smugglers have taken advantage of the warm start to October, with a recent surge in successful crossings reported across Kent in the past week. 

But Sky News has reported French security 'stood by and watched' the scenes of chaos unfold from less than 100 yards away instead of intervening. 

A group of approximately 10 officers allegedly stood idle as two separate groups of migrants piled onto inflatable boats that took up to 10 minutes to get their engines started. 

Home Office blew £6,757 in a month at Domino's in Dover for migrants who had crossed the Channel 

The Home Office spent £6,757 in one month on Domino's pizzas to feed migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel from France, figures show.

Hundreds of pizzas were bought from the Dover branch of the fast food chain in July, according to analysis of the government department's spending.

A disclosure log for Home Office procurement card transactions costing more than £500 for the four-week period contained five separate entries from UK Immigration Enforcement for such food orders, totalling £6,757. 

The takeaways were provided while migrants were at Tug Haven - a short-term holding facility in Dover where they are first taken from the beach or sea.

The most expensive entry - £1,824 - said: 'This was an urgent need to feed a large number of migrants that had been on the Tug Haven compound in Dover for over 12 hours, and were likely to stay over 24 hours due to issues blocking their movement with resources and the Irc (immigration removal centre) estate.'

An entry for £1,789 said: 'Purchased by Clandestine Operational Response Team (Cort) for use at Tug Haven where we have migrants arriving on small boats. Due to the high number of migrants arriving and the length of time they had not eaten, it was agreed to purchase 200 pizzas.'

It came as more crossings were under way on Friday, with at least six boats arriving at Walmer and St Margaret's in Cliffe, Kent, according to eyewitness reports. 

 

In a later clip, a helicopter flown by French border control flies over the Strait of Dover, watching on as another caravan of migrants makes the treacherous journey. 

French officials are said to be investigating patrol efforts on the French border in the wake of the footage, Sky News reports. 

Since the start of the year, more than 17,000 migrants have succeeded in reaching the UK - double the figure for the whole of 2020. 

Dan O'Mahoney, clandestine channel threat commander for Border Force, said: 'The government is determined to tackle the unacceptable rise in dangerous Channel crossings using every tool at our disposal, at every stage in the journey.

'Working with police and international partners, this year there have been nearly 300 arrests, 65 convictions related to small boat criminality and our targeted efforts have prevented more than 13,500 migrant attempts.

'But this is a complicated issue requiring changes to our laws. 

'The Government's New Plan for Immigration provides a long term solution to fix the broken system and deliver the change required to tackle criminal gangs and prevent further loss of life.'

It comes after September was the busiest month on record, with Dover receiving four times the amount of migrants compared to September 2020. 

Official statistics showed more than 3,872 have arrived in 113 incidents last month - breaking the 3,509 who made the dangerous journey in 117 boats in July.

And officers have now detained at least 17,228 migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats so far this year, more than double the record number who made the treacherous crossing in all of 2020.

The Home Office has been contacted to provide comment. 

In 2020 there were a total of 8,410 were detained in small boat incidents.

Last year, inspectors found that migrants 'almost always' arrived wet and cold and then 'often had to spend hours in the open air or in cramped containers'. 

This comes just days after Home Secretary Priti Patel in the Conservative party conference committed to reducing the number of channel crossings.

She said: 'The shocking images of people crammed into flimsy boats, exploited by people smugglers, vile criminals, characterized by ruthlessness and greed who even threatened to drown small children just to line their pockets.

'This can not continue, this is why we are going after the criminals behind this perilous trade of people smuggling.'

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2021-10-09 15:06:43Z
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Migrant crisis: French interior minister to visit Calais to inspect police efforts against illegal immigration - Sky News

The French interior minister is to visit Calais to inspect efforts in the fight against illegal immigration in the Channel - after Sky News filmed dozens of migrants leaving for the UK as armed police stood by and watched.

Gerald Darmanin is expected to talk to police and address France's role in controlling migration as tensions with Britain intensify.

Sky News' footage shows dozens of migrants leaving beaches this week on inflatable boats, and even a canoe - beginning the potentially dangerous journey unchallenged by French police officers.

Image: French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin is to visit Calais today to address the migrant crisis

The Home Office has said it will raise Sky News' footage with French counterparts - after the UK signed a £54m deal with France to increase patrols back in July.

It has described the record rise in migrant crossings to the UK over the Channel this year as "unacceptable".

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Home Secretary Priti Patel told the Tory Party Conference this week that France "is a safe country" and she will "turn back the boats".

However more migrants have successfully crossed the Channel on Saturday, with Border Force vessels bringing them to safety in Dover and Dungeness in Kent.

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Image: Border Force officials brought migrants to safety on Saturday

Along with the migrant crisis, UK-France relations have been further strained by the AUKUS submarine dispute and the row over post-Brexit fishing rights.

Speaking to Sky News, Jonathan Portes, UK In a Changing Europe economist, said: "I think it's there clearly has been a deterioration in the UK France relationship on this score, as well as in many other on many other fronts, whether that ranges from the submarine deal with Australia through to the issues with French fishermen who complained about being shut out of their historical fishing waters near the Channel Islands.

"It's difficult to know whether this is just one isolated incident or whether this reflects this broader deterioration in UK French relations. Now, to the extent it's the latter, that clearly is very damaging for the UK and for France."

A busy weekend of migrant crossings was anticipated in Dover, Kent, due to the good weather conditions.

"The fog is lifting, the sun is coming out and the waters are incredibly calm at the moment, making that perilous journey that slight bit easier to make," said Sky News reporter Aisha Zahid, reporting from Dover.

"But the calm waters are deceiving, it is still an incredibly treacherous journey down the world's busiest shipping lane. And if people get into trouble while trying to make the crossing, it can escalate into danger very, very quickly."

She continued: "This year has been a record year for migrant crossings - and it is going to be a particular concern for the government.

"Priti Patel gave French authorities £54m over the summer to double patrols but there has been criticism that French authorities aren't doing enough".

How many migrant crossings have there been, how is Priti Patel trying to change UK policy and what is France doing? Samuel Osborne reports

More than 17,000 migrants have successfully reached the UK since the start of the year. That is double the figure for 2020.

More than 25,000 people have risked death crossing the English Channel on board dinghies, kayaks and other small boats since the beginning of last year, according to PA news agency data.

Home Secretary Priti Patel brought forward a new Nationality and Borders Bill in July, which she claims will help cut the number of crossings.

If passed, the bill will increase prison sentences for people entering the UK illegally.

It will also consider whether someone arrived in the UK legally or illegally when potentially granting them asylum.

The home secretary is understood to have asked Border Force to turn away some migrant vessels from British waters towards France.

France has repeatedly refused to intercept or take back migrant boats.

Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said the French police are not making any attempt to stop people from crossing the Channel.

He told Sky News: "They are not doing anything to challenge those coming into France at the point of entry. The EU is doing absolutely nothing to stop them from coming in.

Image: Alp Mehmet of Migration Watch UK has criticised the French authorities for not stopping migrants cross the Channel

"They are coming from a safe country [France] and that country is doing absolutely nothing to help them stay in that country."

On Saturday morning, a couple of Border Force vessels made their way out to the Channel. They will focus on getting any migrants they encounter to safety.

French police have come up with a number of reasons as to why they have not intervened with migrant crossings.

Sky News' Europe correspondent Adam Parsons said officers in Sangatte, Calais, told him they felt outnumbered by the migrants, since one boat was carrying around 80 people, while another said it is "more complicated" when children are involved.

Police also said that once a boat has been launched into the water it is subject to maritime law, so they cannot intervene.

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Locals challenge migrants landing on Kent beach

Tensions between the UK and France have continued to rise this week after French fishermen threatened to blockade the port of Calais and cut off Christmas supplies in a post-Brexit fishing row.

They claim they have been "deceived" by the British government over fishing licence applications and have called on the European Commission to take "retaliatory measures".

And France has again threatened to cut the UK off from energy supplies if the terms of the Brexit deal aren't stuck to.

The country's Europe minister, Clement Beaune, said the agreement had to be "implemented fully" and - should it not be - then "we will take European or national measures to exert pressure on the UK".

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2021-10-09 12:08:44Z
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Wrexham toddler hit by police vehicle in 20mph zone - BBC News

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A two-year-old has been taken to hospital after being hit by a police vehicle in a 20mph zone.

The accident happened on Ffordd Llanerch, in Pen-y-Cae, Wrexham county, at about 15:30 BST on Friday.

North Wales Police asked people to stay away from the area while they investigated.

The force said the ambulance service attended and asked for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to get in touch.

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2021-10-08 20:37:37Z
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BREAKING: Conservative MP James Brokenshire dies aged 53 - Sky News

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COVID-19: Lateral flow tests should replace PCRs for returning travellers by half-term - Sky News

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2021-10-08 08:45:41Z
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PCR tests for travellers ditched before half-term - The Times

The cost of a family holiday will fall by about £200 after ministers announced that PCR tests for foreign travel are to be scrapped by half-term and reduced the red list to seven countries.

The tests, costing about £75 each on average, will be replaced by lateral flow tests, which cost as little as £25. Passengers will have to send a photo of their negative result two days after arriving in Britain.

Popular winter destinations such as Mexico, South Africa and Brazil were given a boost after the Department for Transport said that the toughest travel restrictions would be dropped for 47 countries and territories from 4am on Monday.

Boris Johnson overruled Sajid Javid, the health secretary, who wanted travellers to film themselves taking a

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2021-10-07 17:45:00Z
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Jilted student disguised himself in fat suit before throwing acid in ex’s face - Metro.co.uk

Milad Rouf hurled the corrosive substance in Rym Alaoui’s face (Picture: PA)

A ‘cruel and jealous’ medical student disguised himself in a fat suit and threw sulphuric acid in his ex-girlfriend’s face in a ‘premeditated, malicious and harrowing’ attack on her doorstep.

Talented junior doctor Rym Alaoui suffered ‘unimaginable’ and life-changing injuries to her face, neck and chest when Milad Rouf hurled the corrosive substance at her in Brighton earlier this year.

The 25-year-old wore padded clothing, make-up and sunglasses to make himself look like a black woman of larger build before knocking on her door.

Lewes Crown Court heard the disguise proved effective, and Dr Alaoui, also 25, did not recognise him as she opened it moments before he launched the assault.

She was rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, where she worked, and treated by shocked colleagues.

In a statement, Dr Alaoui said: ‘Since the day I was subject to this horrific attack, my life has changed tremendously, whereby I live in constant physical and psychological pain, fear of my future wellbeing and socioeconomic hardship.

‘I have been robbed of years of my career and young adult life. I cannot begin to imagine how or why someone could commit such a horrible, premeditated attack.’

She said she fears her career as a doctor may no longer be open to her.

Rouf wore padded clothing, make-up and sunglasses to make himself look like a black woman of larger build (Picture: Crown Prosecution Service)

Rouf pleaded guilty to maliciously throwing sulphuric acid at his former girlfriend with the intent to maim and disfigure her. He was handed an 11-year extended sentence.

Prosecutor Flora Page told the court that Rouf and Dr Alaoui had dated briefly while studying together in Cardiff, but she had ended the relationship and moved to the East Sussex city where she began working as a junior doctor.

Instead of moving on, Rouf spent weeks planning his attack before travelling to Brighton on May 20.

Pictures released by police show handwritten shopping lists for different costumes found at his flat.

Police found handwritten shopping lists for different costumes found at his flat (Picture: PA)

Ms Page said: ‘Using padded clothing and make-up, he made himself appear to be a black woman of large build.

‘By the time of the attack at 4.15pm, he was dressed all in black and he was wearing a face mask, sunglasses and a face visor.’

Rouf showed her a threatening note written on a pad – taking care not to speak and give himself away – before throwing 60% concentrate sulphuric acid in her face as she bent to read it.

Despite her quick-thinking in going straight to the shower to wash it off, and the actions of medical staff, she has been left with devastating injuries.

Sentencing him, Judge Christine Laing QC said the trauma suffered by Dr Alaoui was ‘unimaginable’.

She added: ‘You bought sulphuric acid, as a trainee doctor you would know far better than most people the devastating consequences that has when applied to the human body.’

Rouf was handed an 11-year extended sentence (Picture: PA)

Judge Laing said Rouf acted out of ‘simple jealousy and anger at being rejected’.

After the hearing, investigating officer Rose Horan said: ‘This was a premeditated, malicious and harrowing incident and I’d like to thank the victim for showing such incredible bravery and dignity throughout. She has been inspirational, and we continue to support her during this difficult time.

‘The evidence we were able to uncover in this case showed that Rouf spent considerable time planning this calculated attack.

‘He changed his entire appearance in a convoluted attempt to get away with this cruel act.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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2021-10-07 22:51:00Z
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