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Historically, the vast majority of migrants in small boats have been adult males from Iran and Iraq, but recently there has been a rise in the number of Africans and children, as more traditional smuggling routes - in lorries and cars - have slowed down because of coronavirus.

Last month, a record 741 people made the dangerous crossing, while 559 did the same in April. Some 1,562people have arrived since lockdown on March 23. The previous record for the most people crossing in one day was 145 on May 8.

Critics including Nigel Farage have accused the government of not addressing the problem quickly, and warned that the numbers will only grow.

If the UK does not act there will be an invasion of people this summer, and there are likely to be many casualties, he told the Telegraph.

In order to deter people, there is only one thing the government can do. There needs to be a clear message that anyone who comes by this route will not be allowed to stay.

This week, Australias former Prime Minister Tony Abbott wrote in the Telegraph: As long as to arrive is to remain, people smugglers will have a business model and those countries that lack the will to say no are at risk of peaceful invasion.

This is the prospect that faces Britain, if swift action is not taken to stop people coming illegally by boat.

He faced a similar situation when Prime Minister in 2013, and took a hardline stance against illegal immigration, turning boats around and leaving them with just enough fuel to make it back to Indonesia.

Read more:
More migrants have crossed the Channel illegally this year than the whole of 2019, as a record 166 arrive on nine boats - Telegraph.co.uk