The Home Secretary and his French counterpart have agreed a new action plan to strengthen efforts against migrant activity in the English Channel.

The government has allocated millions of pounds for more security equipment to tackle illegal migration by small boats, including CCTV, night vision goggles and number plate recognition to help border officials as part of the crackdown.

Sajid Javid and French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner held talks in Westminster yesterday where they vowed to increase joint cooperation following a rise in the number of migrants off the Kent coast and in French waters, attempting to cross the dangerous shipping lane.

At least 335 people have tried to cross the Channel into Kent since November, usually by dinghies and other small craft.

Some have been brought back to France when caught in French waters and others have been taken to Dover when rescued on the English side.

Others have landed at Kingsdown near Deal, Folkestone and Romney Marsh.

A small number of migrants, who made the illegal journey at the end of last year, were returned to France yesterday.

In addition, the Home Secretary and Interior Minister agreed that migrants encountered in the Channel will be taken to the nearest safe port, in accordance with international maritime law.

The agreements attempt to build on preventing attempted departures in French ports and beaches, which authorities say includes 44 successful disruptions which covers 267 individuals since January 2018.

Over £6 million will be invested in new security equipment on French beaches and ports, and the two countries will also mutually commit to conducting return operations quickly under the Dublin Regulation.

It's understood the UK will work closely with France and other countries to return more migrants who have entered the UK by small boat to deter others from crossing.

Home Secretary, Sajid Javid said: "It is vital we continue to work closely with our French partners to stop vulnerable migrants making these treacherous crossings and tackle the people smugglers who are putting their lives in danger.

"Today’s joint action plan strengthens our already strong relationship and increases joint action around keeping both our borders secure and discouraging these dangerous journeys."

French Interior Minister, Christophe Castaner said: "This agreement once again shows the UK's commitment to managing our shared border along with us.

"By combating illegal Channel crossings by migrants, we're saving lives and deterring new migrants from coming to Hauts-de-France."

The UK agreed to allocate over £6 million to support the French’s regional action plan - which has been in place since early January - and has seen additional surveillance and security on French beaches and ports, saying greater coordination has been seen between the French authorities on land and at sea.

Just over half of the investment will come from £44.5 million already allocated under the Sandhurst Treaty, an agreement on UK-France cooperation signed by the Prime Minister and President Macron in January 2018.

An additional £3.2 million of new funding will be used for equipment and measures to tackle illegal migration by small boats, such as CCTV, night goggles and number plate recognition capability, helping to support the UK and French border and maritime teams to detect illegal activity.

Additional security cameras will be placed at French ports and in areas where migrants may attempt to embark boats, and will feed live CCTV footage into the UK-France Coordination and Information Centre in Calais which is staffed by both British and French agencies.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Everyone knows that the best deterrent is for traffickers to know that migrants will never succeed in entering the UK.

“This action plan is an encouraging step forward.

“Returning migrants to France will clearly have a powerful deterrent effect.

“And the plan to disrupt traffickers on departure beaches is also essential.

“Yet the 24/7 aerial surveillance we have been calling for is also vital, and we need to know more about these plans, as well as when the cutters will return from the Med to make our borders more secure.”

There will also be increased surveillance of the Channel by air and boat patrols, with shared intelligence between UK and French authorities. Foot patrols across beaches and coastal areas by the French police will be ramped up.

Both governments have expressed that all criminals will be prosecuted and the new plan will come into force immediately.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins said: "I welcome the extra investment from the UK government in our border security on the channel coast, and also that we have now agreed with the French authorities that migrants crossing the channel in small boats, without the necessary papers to enter the country, will be returned to France. We need to provide a strong deterent to stop people making these life threatening crossings."

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Everyone knows that the best deterrent is for traffickers to know that migrants will never succeed in entering the UK.

“This action plan is an encouraging step forward. Returning migrants to France will clearly have a powerful deterrent effect.

“And the plan to disrupt traffickers on departure beaches is also essential.

“Yet the 24/7 aerial surveillance we have been calling for is also vital, and we need to know more about these plans, as well as when the cutters will return from the Med to make our borders more secure.”