Immigration security

More migrants and refugees try to reach UK via English Channel

Britain's immigration minister Caroline Nokes is due to meet border officials in the port city of Dover over a spike in migrants and refugees trying to cross the English Channel in small boats.

The move follows the interception of two vessels carrying 12 migrants and refugees off the southeast English coast.

In one incident, eight Iranian men were spotted in a small boat near Dover on Friday and brought ashore for medical assessments and immigration interviews.

About six hours earlier, border officials detained a Syrian and three Iranians found on a dinghy nearby.

Several children were among 40 migrants and refugees from Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan who were rescued by British and French authorities on Tuesday.

Nokes called the trend "deeply concerning".

Attempts to cross the English Channel, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, have been increasing since October, with authorities on both sides struggling to stop them.