Nearly 20 suspected terrorists have arrived in the UK via small boats across the Channel, it has been claimed.

The Daily Mail reports that it has found from security sources that the 19 came across last year, creeping in amongst unsuspecting asylum seekers constantly arriving by sea.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke retweeted the article saying: "It is very concerning that terror suspects have been able to enter our country in small boats and not be detained.

"This raises serious issues of national security. Ministers must urgently review this situation."

The Mail reports that the 19 men were linked with organisations such as the Islamic State death cult or their offshoot groups.

Many may have since lodged asylum claims to stay in Britain.

It is thought seven were already under investigation by other countries.

Five of these 19 are Iraqi, five Iranian, four Afghan while four are from Somalia and one is Libyan, the Daily Mail says.

It also says that British security services confirmed the true identities of many of the 19 through the routine fingerprinting carried out on all Channel arrivals.

Those suspected can be monitored while over here.

The general trend of asylum seekers crossing the Channel in small boats has gone on for the last five years. If they don't land by themselves on east Kent beaches they are rescued by British authorities and initially brought to Dover for processing.

A record 45,476 made it across last year compared with 28,526 people in 2021. This compares with 8,466 in 2020, 1,843 in 2019 and 299 in 2018.

Exactly 1,106 asylum seekers, in a total 26 small boat, have made it across the English Channel in the last week.

According to government figures the number was 201, in five boats, on Tuesday, April 4, and next day it swelled to 492 in 11 small vessels.

The amount was 77 in two craft on Thursday, April 6, and 107 in three vessels two days later.

The total on Easter Sunday was 180 in four small boats and 49 made it across in a single vessel on Easter Monday.

The government is currently trying to solve the problem through its Illegal Migration Bill, which stops people claiming asylum at all if they arrive illegally.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Dover on the day of its launch on March 7.

A Home Office spokesman today said: “Our highest priority is protecting the safety and security of this country, which is why the UK has world-class police, security and intelligence agencies and a robust counter-terrorism framework.

“If an individual of national security interest entered the UK as an illegal migrant, we would take the firmest possible steps, which could include removal, action by law enforcement or other appropriate measures.

“As the Prime Minister has said, this government is focussed on stopping small boats, and the Illegal Migration Bill will enable us to take back control of our borders and ensure we have an asylum system that is fair, safe and legal."