Organised crime groups are targeting the maritime industry in an attempt to obtain small boats for people smuggling, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned.

The organisation is urging businesses in Kent to look out for buyers looking to pay in cash, complete transactions quickly and showing little care for the condition of the vessels and equipment purchased.

Boat owners are also being asked to take extra security measures to protect their vessels and equipment, and to report cases of theft or attempted thefts of boats and equipment.

NCA deputy director Andrea Wilson said: "As the weather starts to improve, making small boat crossings more likely, we are taking this opportunity to reinforce our appeals to those within the marine and maritime industries to help us stop those involved in organised people smuggling.

"Crossing the Channel in these types of vessels is extremely dangerous, but the criminals involved don’t care about safety, they just see people as a commodity to be exploited.

"Tragically, in the last year we have seen the fatal consequences of that.

"We continue to work with partners to target the supply of these vessels but we need the help of those in the UK maritime industry and coastal communities to do that, and I’d ask them to report any suspicions they may have."

It is understood the number of people to cross the Channel by small boat in 2021 was just over 28,300 - having been just under 300 in 2018.

Reports suggest that in January this year 1,341 people crossed the Channel, six times the number during the same month in 2021.

The Home Office will not give an official figure for the total number. A spokesman said: "We do not provide overall running totals of small boats crossings."

Organisations that work with those who have made the Channel crossings continue to call for improved safe and legal routes to be created for entry into the UK. Without that, they warn that people will continue to make the perilous journey.