Border Force officers have prevented more than 18,000 attempts by would-be migrants to cross the Channel illegally in the past year - despite alleged staffing problems.

Officials in Dover are among the teams that have contributed to the figure.

It was revealed by immigration and security minister James Brokenshire, who has responded to a recent investigation by ITV News into Border Force national staffing levels.

The programme prompted a number of negative online comments about the agency from anonymous employees.

One said: “Staff are demotivated, angry and resentful of the circumstances they find themselves in.

“Simply put, Border Force is broken and ministers seem unwilling or unable to deal with the problems at hand, perhaps because they are also being lied to.”

Another said: "Staff morale is the lowest I have ever known.

'Staff morale is the lowest I have ever known...' - Anonymous worker

“Staff are concerned about the security of the border, with regard to drug importation, revenue avoidance and people trafficking.”

ITV News said border staff could not “protect UK’s borders effectively”.

Mr Brockenshire responded: “The results of this survey are not representative of the views of staff across Border Force.

“This government turned Border Force into its own separate command in 2012, giving it a clear law-enforcement ethos.

“Security has been re-established as the priority, with all passengers now subject to checks.

“Using some of the best technology in the world, Border Force has prevented more than 18,000 attempts to cross the Channel illegally in the year to April 2014 – a rise of more than 60% the previous year.”

Nationally, Border Force employs 8,100 full-time staff, which is up from 7,500 last year. It has been “actively recruiting” for 18 months.

This year, we have often reported on the number of immigrants illegally smuggling themselves into Britain.

In May, a man believed to be of Afghan origin set sail for Dover on a makeshift raft. He was picked up just outside Calais after crew on a P&O ship saw him in the Calais approach.

Then in September, we reported how a man from Whitfield opened up the back of a lorry to find more than 20 immigrants hiding inside.

Mr Brockenshire added: “We have always said that transforming Border Force will take time, but we are making significant progress and we continue to strengthen the security of our borders to stop those who have no right to enter the UK, seize illegal goods and disrupt organised criminals.

“We have reduced the cost of back-office Border Force functions over recent years and streamlined our processes, allowing us to reinvest in front-line operations and technology. We have recruited additional staff over the past year, and we now use them more flexibly."

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