UK authorities dealt with more than 200 migrants attempting to cross the Channel on Sunday. That is according to the Home Office.
This news comes after the Government announced heavier prison sentences for migrants and people-smugglers.
The Home Office said that on Sunday Border Force officials from the UK and France intervened with a combined total of 450 migrants attempting to cross the Channel.
Record numbers of people have made the journey so far this year. Almost 6,000 reached the UK in the first six months of 2021. The total figure for 2020 was 8,417.
Earlier on Sunday morning, the Home Office proposed legislation to make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission.
If it goes ahead, the maximum sentence for those entering the country unlawfully would rise from six months’ imprisonment to four years. The bill is due to be read in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
The Home Office said that harsher punishments would put a stop to “asylum shopping”. This is part of a claim that migrants are allegedly “picking the UK as a preferred destination over others”.
Harsher punishment for smugglers
The Government also plans to also increase punishment for people smugglers. A guilty sentence may rise from the current maximum of 14 years.
Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O’Mahoney said, “The Government continues to target the criminal gangs who are responsible for these illegal crossings.
“The joint work with France means we have doubled the number of police officers on the ground who are intercepting the crossings and arresting the gangs behind this trade.”
A clause contained in the legislation will broaden the offence of arriving unlawfully so that it encompasses arrival, as well as entry into the UK.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The Nationality and Borders Bill contains vital measures to fix the UK’s broken asylum system.
“Our new plan for immigration is fair but firm.
“We will welcome people through safe and legal routes whilst preventing abuse of the system, cracking down on illegal entry and the criminality associated with it.”
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HeadlineOver 200 migrants picked up in English Channel as tougher penalties announced
Short HeadlineOver 200 migrants stopped in Channel
StandfirstIt comes after the Government announced harsher punishments for people attempting the journey.
UK authorities dealt with more than 200 migrants attempting to cross the Channel on Sunday. That is according to the Home Office.
This news comes after the Government announced heavier prison sentences for migrants and people-smugglers.
The Home Office said that on Sunday Border Force officials from the UK and France intervened with a combined total of 450 migrants attempting to cross the Channel.
Record numbers of people have made the journey so far this year. Almost 6,000 reached the UK in the first six months of 2021. The total figure for 2020 was 8,417.
Earlier on Sunday morning, the Home Office proposed legislation to make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission.
If it goes ahead, the maximum sentence for those entering the country unlawfully would rise from six months’ imprisonment to four years. The bill is due to be read in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
The Home Office said that harsher punishments would put a stop to “asylum shopping”. This is part of a claim that migrants are allegedly “picking the UK as a preferred destination over others”.
Harsher punishment for smugglers
The Government also plans to also increase punishment for people smugglers. A guilty sentence may rise from the current maximum of 14 years.
Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O’Mahoney said, “The Government continues to target the criminal gangs who are responsible for these illegal crossings.
“The joint work with France means we have doubled the number of police officers on the ground who are intercepting the crossings and arresting the gangs behind this trade.”
A clause contained in the legislation will broaden the offence of arriving unlawfully so that it encompasses arrival, as well as entry into the UK.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The Nationality and Borders Bill contains vital measures to fix the UK’s broken asylum system.
“Our new plan for immigration is fair but firm.
“We will welcome people through safe and legal routes whilst preventing abuse of the system, cracking down on illegal entry and the criminality associated with it.”
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