A barefoot child was among the migrants pictured arriving in Dover today after making the perilous crossing from France.
Photos showed Border Force workers helping toddlers in life jackets onto land after they were brought ashore on a department speed boat.
In one image, an infant is being passed from a Border force officer in a boat to another waiting on a dock in Dover Harbour, Kent, as a woman, believed to be the child's mother, waited in the boat.
The arrivals come in a week where hundreds have opted to attempt the dangerous crossing during calm weather.
On Sunday, footage also emerged showing a small overturned boat drifting in the waters between England and France. The vessel, which appeared partially deflated, was sinking below the surface on one side.
Despite authorities in France being paid £54million to stop illegal Channel crossings from their coast, 'stretched' officials in Dover are struggling to contain the spiralling fiasco.
However Home Secretary Priti Patel praised the efforts of French authorities, saying in a statement on Sunday:
'French authorities have already prevented over 7,500 migrants entering the UK this year – nearly treble the number for the same period in 2020 – and earlier this week we signed a strengthened agreement to increase police patrols on French beaches, improve surveillance technology and enhance intelligence sharing.
'Since the start of 2020, we have secured more than 65 small boat related prosecutions, totalling over 53 years in jail. This is the result of extensive work by law enforcement and intelligence partners,' Patel said.
A barefoot child was among the migrants and refugees pictured arriving in Dover today after making the perilous crossing from France
Photos showed Border Force workers helping toddlers in life jackets onto land after they were brought ashore on a department speed boat
The arrivals come in a week where hundreds have opted to attempt the dangerous crossing during calm weather
'The British public should be in no doubt of our unwavering determination to stop these dangerous crossings from safe EU countries and take down the evil criminal gangs behind them.
'We are utilising all aspects of Government to tackle this issue and our significant actions are having an impact,' Patel said.
Earlier this week, MPs backed sweeping new laws allowing UK authorities to prosecute thousands of asylum seekers who enter the UK illegally, with sentences of up to four years in jail.
The controversial Nationality and Borders Bill will also introduce life sentences for people-smugglers, enable asylum seekers to be processed offshore and give the Border Force new powers to prevent Channel crossings.
However, the measures will not take effect for months as the Bill is not expected to pass all its stages through Parliament until the end of
