The Home Secretary says additional boats being brought in to help patrol the Channel and curb migrant crossings will be deployed next month.

Two additional cutter vessels are to be used as part of a range of measures the government has announced to help with the on-going efforts by small groups of migrants to reach the UK.

A further 36 migrants were picked up over the weekend near Dover.

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Sajid Javid, home secretary, was answering a question from the Dover MP Charlie Elphicke about the government’s response to the situation.

He confirmed that aerial surveillance was already taking place and that naval boats were being used to provide additional security.

He told the Commons: “While we are waiting the arrival of two cutters in early February, we are increasing the number of vessels including the help of the Royal Navy.”

Two additional cutters are being brought back but are currently in the Mediterranean.

WATCH: A Royal Navy ship has already been sent to patrol English Channel

Mr Javid declared the increasing number of attempts to cross the channel to the UK a “major incident” at the end of last year.

Two more groups of migrants trying to reach Britain via Kent were rescued overnight.

It comes on top of three confirmed cases yesterday bringing the total number of case since November to 40 - involving more than 320 people.