More than 60 migrants have crossed the Channel to Dover in the past three days despite French police doubling their beach patrols and deploying drones.

Border Force and partner agencies were first alerted to an incident at 2.20am on Saturday.

Two more boats were identified at 5.40am and another a 6am.

The vessels contained a total of 49 people, including four women, who presented themselves as Iranian, Iraqi, Kuwaiti, Syrian and Yemini Nationals.

Border Force intercepted another vessel carrying 12 men who presented themselves as Iranian nationals at around 5am on Sunday.

At about 4.55am on Monday, April 6, a coastal patrol vessel (CPV) was deployed to intercepted a dinghy carrying seven males who presented themselves as being from Sudan and Chad.

All individuals were brought to Dover and, in line with established processes, were assessed to establish whether there were any medical requirements, but no issues were reported.

'We are doing everything in our power to bring them to justice and stop this illegal activity'

All have now been transferred to immigration officials. They will be interviewed and their cases will be dealt with in line with the immigration rules, transferring to detention where appropriate.

Tony Eastaugh, Home Office Director for Crime & Enforcement, said: “These crossings are facilitated by criminals.

"We are doing everything in our power to bring them to justice and stop this illegal activity.

“We are working around the clock with the NCA and French law enforcement agencies to arrest and dismantle organised crime gangs.

"Since January 2019, 110 people smugglers have been convicted and imprisoned and over 155 people who arrived on small boats have been returned.

“And that’s not all, there are now extra patrols on French beaches, drones, specialist vehicles and detection equipment to stop small boats leaving European shores.”

In the last two weeks French police have stopped over 90 migrants from risking their lives by seeking to get to the UK illegally using a small boat.

They have doubled their beach patrols and deployed drones to hunt down and disrupt crossings.

The Home Secretary and her French counterpart, Christophe Castaner, have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling this issue since the outbreak of Coronavirus.

They have stressed that the virus has had no impact on our operational response to small boat incidents, stating that Border Force and Immigration Enforcement "will always have the resources needed" to tackle illegal and dangerous crossings.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover