French and British authorities have intercepted more than 1,000 suspected asylum seekers over five days.

A total 1,042 people were stopped in 54 attempted crossings.

The Home Office said that last Friday UK authorities dealt with 19 events involving 336 people and the French prevented seven crossings involving 165.

The next day UK authorities dealt with seven events involving 144 people and the French prevented a total nine crossings concerning 144.

It was the very day a protest march was held against illegal immigration, in Dover.

Last Sunday UK authorities dealt with one incident involving 17 people.

On Bank Holiday Monday UK authorities dealt with three events with a total 71 people.

That day the French prevented two crossings involving 37 people.

Overnight on Monday and Tuesday French authorities discovered people near their coast with marine equipment such as boats and engines. They preventing a further six crossing attempts where 20 people were concerned.

UK authorities also dealt with six events yesterday (Tuesday) which had 132 suspected asylum seekers.

Also yesterday the French intercepted one crossing, preventing 16 people reaching Britain.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Criminal gangs are putting profits before people’s lives through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings.

“More than 3,500 people have been prevented from making the dangerous crossing so far this year and we are cracking down on the despicable criminal gangs behind people smuggling.

“Inaction is not an option whilst people are dying. The government is bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of these heinous smuggling networks and save lives.”

Four members of one family, including children, died off the French coast last October.

The Home Office says that it has secured more than 65 small boat-related prosecutions since the start of 2020 leading to total of more than 53 years in jail sentences.

It adds that more than 3,600 people have been prevented from crossing the Channel by the French so far this year.

Dangerous crossings by asylum seekers on small boats have continued at least over the last three years.

The occupants have either been stopped by the French and brought back to France or have been rescued on the British side of the Channel by the UK's Border Force.

They have then usually been brought to Dover Western Docks for interviewing and processing.

Others have been taken in by the British authorities after landing in places such as Folkestone, Romney Marsh and Kingsdown near Deal.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

.