MORE migrants arrived in Britain by small boats on Wednesday than throughout the whole of December last year.

       Home Office officials confirmed that 258 people in eight boats were rescued or intercepted.

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       RNLI crews rescued dozens from bitter winter weather as they tried to navigate the 21-mile Do Credit: AFP

       It compares with 211 who arrived throughout the whole of the month this time last year.

       RNLI crews rescued dozens from bitter winter weather as they tried to navigate the 21-mile Dover Strait.

       Young children were among those spotted being carried by their exhausted parents at the end of the perilous crossing.

       Border Force vessels brought several boatloads to shore in Dover, Kent, throughout the day.

       French authorities also prevented 87 from reaching the UK in five incidents throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.

       Rougher conditions at sea yesterday meant there were not expected to be similar numbers.

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       But Shoreham coastguards were pictured next to a washed-up boat with about 30 life jackets on board. More than 1,600 migrants have arrived this month in 55 boats.

       And at least 28,000 have made the dangerous crossing so far this year — triple the numbers from 2020.

       Ministers say Home Secretary Priti Patel’s new Borders Bill will provide safe routes for migrants to get to Britain — and discourage small boats from making the crossing.

       Mayday call made by French coastguard as 27 migrants die as they attempted to reach the UK