People arriving in the UK on small boats have been detained in Dover for the first time.
Migrants who arrived in Kent on small boats from France were detained yesterday after a new agreement between the UK and France.
The ‘one in, one out’ deal means adults who arrived in the UK illegally will be deported to France, and for every person returned, the UK will take in an asylum seeker.
The first spate of detentions was carried out in the port city yesterday, targeting those who had just crossed into UK waters.
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Footage shows a border force vessel packed with people in lifejackets docking at the port.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘Yesterday, under the terms of this groundbreaking new treaty, the first group of people to cross the Channel were detained after their arrival at Western Jet Foil and will now be held in detention until they can be returned to France.
‘That sends a message to every migrant currently thinking of paying organised crime gangs to go to the UK that they will be risking their lives and throwing away their money if they get into a small boat.’
After detention, the government will make a referral for returns to France within three days, while the French officials will respond within 14 days.
As part of the deal, migrants can submit an expression of interest to come to the UK via the safe route. They must meet eligibility criteria, and they will then have to go through further security checks and biometric controls before being considered.
The ‘one in, one out’ deal is designed to discourage migrants from making the Channel crossing by making them think it will be harder to stay.
The Home Office is set to launch a new campaign to warn migrants in northern France and elsewhere of the new deal.
However, the agreement has been met with criticism from the opposition and campaigners.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp argued: ‘Returning just 50 illegal immigrants a week, and probably less, will make no difference whatsoever. This amounts to just 6 per cent of illegal arrivals.
‘Allowing 94 per cent to stay in the UK will be no deterrent at all. This is a gimmick which won’t work.’
The charity Freedom from Torture raised concerns over the deal’s impact on people’s wellbeing.
Natasha Tsangarides, the group’s Associate Director of Advocacy, said: ‘We know from our therapy rooms how profoundly harmful any time in detention is for people who’ve been through the unimaginable horrors of torture.
‘Many survivors were tortured in detention, so locking them up again reopens deep psychological scars and can set them back significantly on their road to recovery.’
By the end of July, more than 25,000 people had made the crossing over the English Channel in small, often not seaworthy boats.
Last year is said to be the deadliest on record for Channel crossings, according to the Refugee Council.
At least 69 poeple died trying to get to the UK, the charity said.
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