More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A young migrant was assaulted just moments after stepping onto UK land, it has emerged.
Police investigating the incident on Kingsdown beach near Deal are keen to identify the person responsible.
It happened around 11am on Sunday against a man in his 20s.
The migrant is reported to have been left injured and shaken but did not require hospital treatment.
A spokesman said: "Kent Police was notified at around 11.05am of a reported assault of a man in his 20s off Undercliffe Road, Kingsdown.
"Officers attended to ensure the welfare of the man, who was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment.
"Inquires to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the identity of the person responsible are ongoing."
Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, who expressed her dismay after seeing two dinghies carrying more than a dozen migrants wash up at the foot of the White Cliffs the same day, has responded to the incident.
She said: “While urgent action is needed by the French and the Home Office, there is no excuse for violence or vigilante behaviour.”
It comes as French authorities announce a 16-year-old boy was found washed up on a French beach after trying to cross the Channel to the UK.
Yesterday, Kent County Council appealed for help saying it cannot care for any more asylum-seeking children.
The authority's resources such as social workers, independent reviewing officers, care workers and suitable accommodation have been “exhausted” by the ongoing crisis.
It will therefore now be up to Border Force to identify another UK local authority with capacity to safely care for them for which they can be transferred into the care of.
Lucy Morton, professional officer for ISU - The Union for Borders, Immigration & Customs, explained that it is likely that children will be passed over into the care of authorities in Surrey and Sussex.
So far this year, 23 people smugglers have been jailed and two suspected traffickers have recently been charged.
