Suspected migrants found on ‘stolen’ fishing boat in Dover

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Border officials have detained 17 apparent migrants – 14 men and three children – claiming to be Iranian after a fishing boat, reportedly stolen in France, arrived in Dover overnight.

The vessel appeared in the port unannounced shortly after midnight on Tuesday, prompting harbour authorities, the coastguard, police and the Home Office’s border force to respond.

Officials boarded the boat alongside the coastguard, which reports said had been stolen from Boulogne-sur-Mer, a major port near Calais in northwest France.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Fourteen men and three minors, all of whom presented themselves as Iranian, were found on board.

“The Home Office will progress their cases in accordance with the immigration rules and the three minors have been referred to social services.”

Kent Police said officers had been made aware of the boat’s presence at Dover’s docks but did not attend, while the coastguard referred The Independent back to the Home Office.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke claimed such arrivals were “a growing problem” and added the Home Office “must not turn a blind eye”.

Lieutenant Ingrid Parrot, of France’s maritime prefecture, said British authorities had acted on information her team supplied, The Times reported.

France hailed the vessel but it did not respond, sparking suspicion. “We have never known of migrants stealing a fishing boat in this way,” Lt Parrot added.

It comes just hours after a major report was published outlining how poorly-staffed border checkpoints were being exploited by those seeking to enter the country illegally.

David Bolt, the chief inspector of borders and immigration, said: "I recognise that Border Force is dealing with many challenges, not just along the south coast but nationally, and that its job is not made any easier by having to prepare for the UK's exit from the EU without clarity as yet about what exactly this will involve.

"However, it is difficult to escape the impression that Border Force believes it knows best and will make changes only on its own terms and at its own pace."

Dover was among the locations included in the report.

The study found the number of detections of clandestine incursions detected at south coast ports had fallen from 1,119 in 2016-17 to 882 in 2017-18, including a drop from 792 to 503 at Dover.

This decrease was attributed to "upstream activity", including improved security measures and the clearance of migrant camps in France.

Additional reporting by PA