Record 230 migrants crammed on ONE dinghy arrive in UK from Channel as Farage warns of ‘national security emergency’

NewsPolitics A RECORD number of migrants have crossed the Channel in one boat, as Nigel Farage slams the news as proof of a “national security emergency.” At 2.30am this morning some 230 migrants travelling on a single small boat reportedly came into port at Dover. Nigel Farage branded the news proof of a ‘national security emergency’ Credit: Alamy A record 230 migrants crossed in the dinghy Credit: PA It marks the largest ever number of migrants to have successfully crossed the Channel in one boat, Sky News reports. Taking to social media in fury over the news, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded it more proof of a national emergency. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! The politician said: “At 2.30am this morning a boat carrying 230 people was taken into Dover. “This is a record number in a single vessel. A months-old baby was seen being taken on board an inflatable dinghy in France yesterday Credit: LNP Police and holidaymakers watch on as migrants board a small boat yesterday Credit: LNP “It’s yet more proof that this illegal invasion is a national security emergency.” GB News said the “mega dinghy” left France overnight and arrived in Dover in the early hours. The previous record number of migrants to cross The Channel in one boat was set last month when 165 made the journey. People smugglers have been increasing the number of migrants crammed into boats in recent months. Most read in The Sun A dinghy carrying 173 people capsized in the English Channel after its engine caught fire earlier this month. A Home Office spokesperson said: “This latest incident demonstrates the reckless and dangerous tactics employed by the criminal gangs facilitating these crossings, who continue to put lives at risk by cramming ever greater numbers of people onto unseaworthy vessels. “We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020. “But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40% more boots on the ground on French beaches.” It comes after a months-old baby was seen being hauled onto a packed mega dinghy bound for the UK as French cops watched on yesterday. Multiple young children, including a months-old baby, were seen being dragged onto the taxi boat at pit stops along the French coast. Officers reportedly threatened to arrest a photographer who captured them standing by and doing nothing as the migrants boarded the boat. The small boat had been closely tracked by French authorities for nine-and-a-half hours as it picked up passengers along the coastline. It appeared to have been launched near the Normandy fishing port of Dieppe – much further south than where the boats usually leave. People-smuggling gangs are said to be using new launch sites to evade police detection. The boat was followed up the shore by a French coastguard vessel, but only in case it sunk. After 40 miles, the dinghy stopped at Berck beach, before travelling another 12 miles to Camiers beach at around mid-day yesterday.