A group of ‘patriots’ say they will monitor the coast in an attempt to halt migrants landing on the shore.

Romney Marsh-based South East Coastal Defence claims its 40-member strong patrol will monitor the waters between Dungeness and Deal.

Working in pairs, the activists will be stationed in each south Kent town and village, according to founder Elaine Renton.

There has been a spike in the number of people crossing the English Channel from France in small boats since November, with many coming from Iran.

Recent incidents include when Border Force intercepted 12 migrants, including a 10-year-old boy in Coast Drive, Greatstone, on New Years Eve.

Eight migrants were rescued after a boat was discovered in Dungeness on the morning of January 7. Border Force was contacted by the coastguard at around 8.20am after they received reports of an unattended inflatable boat at Dungeness.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid declared the situation a “major incident” at Christmas and announced two Border Force cutters and HMS Mersey would help deal with the problem.

Even though there have been no reported sightings in about two weeks, Ms Renton, who lives on the Marsh, claims government efforts are ineffective.

She said: “The authorities are failing us so we have to take matters into our own hands.

“Yes, I am scared, I’ve been wanting to set up a group like this for ages and now there are about 40 of us.

“We will wait on the coast keeping a look out over the Channel and if migrants try to get on the beach we will notify the authorities.

“We will then keep them there until the authorities arrive. We are patriotic about our country,” she said.

Ms Renton added that the group will hand out leaflets in Folkestone town centre on Saturday, in a bid to bolster numbers.

The literature claims all of those attempting to reach Britain are economic migrants.

Titled ‘Did You Know’, the document says: “Britain needs controlled immigration. The people of Kent need controlled immigration.

“You cannot keep allowing migrants just to walk onto your shores.”

However, the Home Office has advised the group against taking direct action and highlighted its Operation Kraken protocols.

Kraken aims to prevent and deter potential terrorist and criminal activity around the country’s ports and coastline.

It advises people to report suspicious activity on the coast including unusual boats and behaviour.

A Home Office spokesman said anyone seeing anything unusual or suspicious should report it to police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting ‘Kraken’.

HMS Mersey was deployed to the Strait of Dover on January 3 to prevent an increasing number of migrants from risking their lives making the dangerous 20-mile crossing.

The mission was to support the UK Border Crossing and French authorities in their response to migrant crossings.