More than 22,000 people could cross the Channel this year to seek asylum in the UK, it has been claimed.

So far, over 8,000 people have made the dangerous journey between France and the south coast in 2021, which has already surpassed the figure for last year.

Now, analysis by The Times using previous data suggested numbers of migrants making the crossing could double by October, with another 12,900 by the end of the year.

Thousands more are also expected to be smuggled into the country through ports inside lorries, as desperate people go to any length to get onto British soil.

It comes as a record number of people crossed the Channel on Monday this week in an attempt to reach Kent and other parts of the south east coastline.

In total, 430 people made the journey in small boats, some landing at Kingdown near Deal, and on Romney Marsh.

Another 287 people also arrived on Tuesday.

In response, Home Secretary Priti Patel vowed yet more action, with £54 million sent to France to double the number of police on beaches.

A new bill is also being introduced which will give Border Force officers powers to turn asylum seekers away from the UK while at sea, and makes it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission.

This week, the Stade Court Hotel in Hythe was closed off to the public after the Home Office made a deal to use it for accommodation for asylum seekers.

Three security guards stood watch at the seaside hotel yesterday.

Former military camp, Napier Barracks, in Folkestone, has also been used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers since September last year.

The barracks has been rife with issues ever since, including fires, protests, arrests, demonstrations and Covid-19 outbreaks.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The asylum system is being exploited by criminal gangs who facilitate dangerous, unnecessary and illegal small boat crossings.

"Our Nationality and Borders bill will fix this broken system to deter these dangerous and illegal crossings.

"In the meantime, due to the unprecedented demand, we have had to use temporary accommodation such as hotels to manage demands on the asylum estate.”

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