Six Suspected Migrants Found In Boat In English Channel

Six suspected migrants have been discovered in a small dinghy in the English Channel.

Coastguards were alerted to the vessel off the Kent coast at around 5.40am on Thursday.

The Lydd-based search and rescue helicopter and the Border Force cutter, HMC Valiant, were scrambled.

Footage from a Sky News helicopter showed two of the men being treated by paramedics on the Valiant.

One of the men appears unwell, lying on his side, while he is cared for by the medics.

Another of the men is wrapped in a towel and then appears to have his blood pressure taken by one of the paramedics.

A Border Force spokesman said: "Six men were recovered from the boat and are due to be interviewed by Border Force officers."

Other images show the tiny red dinghy being hauled into Dover harbour by the Valiant.

Inside the dinghy there are some abandoned water bottes - and a foot pump.

The National Crime Agency have revealed that migrants trying to reach the UK were paying people smugglers up to £13,500.

Some of those who want to come to Britain are quoted five-figure sums to make the trip by air.

Others are thought to have spent up to £12,000 to travel from France in inflatable boats.

As well as Calais to Dover, criminals could be using less busy ports such as Tilbury, Purfleet, Hull, Immingham and Newhaven.