First detentions of migrants crossing Channel under new returns deal

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) Gareth Fuller

Migrants who crossed the English Channel have been detained for the first time under a new “one in, one out” deal.

The first detentions came as people arrived in Dover on Wednesday, the first day the pilot scheme came into force.

Pictures showed the migrants wearing life jackets disembarking from Border Force boats.

The Home Office said detentions began for those who arrived on Wednesday afternoon and that they will be held in immigration removal centres until they are returned to France.

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.”

(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.