Thousands of asylum seekers have suffered hypothermia by the time of landing in the UK.

Hundreds have had burns and some, suspected broken bones as they have made the perilous journey across the Channel in small boats.

Figures from January to June 2021, when about 6,000 people landed, shows that two-thirds, 4,075, were suffering hypothermia.

A total 354 people had petrol or saltwater burns during the journey and 27 ended up being taken to hospital with suspected broken bones.

The figures come from Home Office data obtained by The Guardian newspaper after a Freedom of Information request.

Bridget Chapman, of Kent Refugee Action Network, told KentOnline: "We work with many people who have serious physical and mental scars from their journey here.

"That compounds the trauma that caused them to flee their homes in the first place and it takes a lot to recover.

"We need to ensure that as much as possible is done to make better, safer options available to those seeking asylum.

"Those options include increasing the numbers of places on resettlement routes and humanitarian visas. So many of these injuries and traumas are unnecessary and we should be doing all we can to help minimise the risk."

Phil Kerton, from another pro-asylum seeker group Seeking Sanctuary, said: "Many had suspected that people arriving hidden in and under vehicles or in unseaworthy boats could well suffer from hypothermia and injuries.

"What is appalling about these figures is the scale of the problems and the fact that poor reception facilities in Dover have worsened the suffering.

" It's high time that the Home Office, instead of brainstorming new hostile measures, responded to those who campaign for the establishment of decent safe routes for people to get to the UK in order to make claims for asylum."

The trend of asylum seekers arriving in the UK in small craft has continued over the last four years, largely replacing the previously favoured method of hiding in the backs of lorries coming from the Continent.

Analysis carried out by the Press Association shows at least 28,395 people made the perilous journey into British shores in 2021, which is 20,000 more than in 2020.

They have continued undeterred despite 27 of them drowning when a dinghy capsized off Calais last November.

A Home Office spokesman said: “People should seek asylum in the first safe country they reach and not risk their lives making these dangerous and unnecessary journeys.

“We have measures in place to ensure people arriving in the UK via small boats are treated appropriately, this includes on site medical care and water. Anyone in need of urgent care is immediately transferred to a local hospital.”

The Nationality and Borders Bill, which continues to go through Parliament, will make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introduce life sentences for those who facilitate illegal entry into the country.

Asylum seekers have at times been able to land directly on beaches on the Kent coast such as at Kingsdown near Deal and Dungeness.

But many are rescued at sea and first brought to Dover.

Until the start of this year asylum seekers were processed at the Tug Haven at the Western Docks. Last December it was criticised for its conditions in reports by HM Inspectorate of Prisons.

This January the Government announced that they would be taken to a new centre at Manston for processing.

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