More than 500 migrants arrive in small boats

More than 500 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Wednesday, according to the Home Office.

Ten boats were intercepted making the crossing from France with 514 migrants on board - the highest daily total so far this year.

It brings this year's Channel crossings figure to 4,043 people - which is higher than the equivalent period last year (3,683).

One man was found with stab wounds after the arrival of one of the boats at Dover Western Docks on Wednesday, Kent Police said.

He reported he had been assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France, while he made the crossing, police said.

The man was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

A Kent Police spokesperson said information had been passed to the French authorities for further investigation.

So far this year 4,043 people have made the crossing to the UK in small boats, with 1,788 arriving so far this month, figures collated by the BBC show.

Prime Minister Rushi Sunak vowed to "stop the boats" as one of five key pledges a year ago.

The House of Lords has inflicted fresh defeats on the government over its flagship Rwanda bill, which aims to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The bill will now return to the Commons, but not until after Easter.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys.

“We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.”

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