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French must do more to stop Channel crossings says UK official

Call came as UK Border Force officials detained 74 people after 8 boats were spotted off Kent coast and two vessels were intercepted in France.

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France has been urged to do more to stop illegal Channel crossings after scores of migrants were caught sailing to Britain last weekend, reports The Telegraph.

There have also been calls for air surveillance of the English Channel to stop people from entering the UK illegally this summer. 

Border Force officials detained 74 people, including small children, after eight boats were spotted off the Kent coast on Saturday.

Two vessels were also intercepted in France by the French authorities, the Home Office said.  

Lucy Moreton, general secretary of the Immigration Service Union, said French authorities must take tougher action to prevent migrants from leaving their country.

She told The Times: “These people should not be setting sail from France. They are buying boats and stealing boats. We really need a lot more work on the part of France.

“These people are coming from France. They should apply for asylum in France and the French authorities should process that claim.”

Read more of this report from The Telegraph.