Up to 70 migrants packed on to three large boats are detained at Dover as people smugglers take advantage of calm conditions of English Channel 

• Dozens of migrants made the crossing on Saturday as Britain enjoyed sunshine 
• Images from Port of Dover shows at least three young children among arrivals 
• Fourth boat was reportedly towed back to France by authorities earlier today 

Dozens of migrants packed onto three boats were today detained at Dover by Border Force as people smugglers took advantage of calm conditions across the Channel.

It is understood up to 70 migrants attempted the crossing on Saturday as Britain basked in glorious 59F (15C) temperatures in another weekend of early Spring weather.

The migrants were brought to the Port of Dover by Border Force, with images showing at least three children among them.

A fourth inflatable boat attempting the crossing was towed back to France by French authorities, reports have claimed.    

Dozens of migrants packed onto three boats were today detained at Dover by Border Force as people smugglers took advantage of calm conditions across the Channel. Pictured: Dover today

It is understood up to 70 migrants attempted the crossing on Saturday as Britain basked in glorious 59F (15C) temperatures in another weekend of early Spring weather

The migrants were brought to the Port of Dover by Border Force, with images showing at least three children among them

It is believed those attempting the treacherous crossing are taking advantage of the mild weather this weekend to reach England, but conditions are expected to deteriorate at sea tomorrow.  

Images from the Port of Dover today show Border Force officials in full PPE leading migrants to shore after they made the illegal crossing early this morning.

The latest arrivals mean 159 migrants have so-far been detained by Border Force this week, after another 33 people illegally crossed the Channel on Friday. 

Some 49 were picked up on Monday and 77 on Wednesday, taking the total for February to 221. It is expected this month will surpass January’s total of 223 arrivals.

Pictured: Migrants including two children arrive at Dover today after being picked up by Border Force in the Channel

Images from the Port of Dover today show Border Force officials in full PPE leading migrants to shore after they made the illegal crossing early this morning

Border Force officers wearing PPE escort a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent

The latest arrivals mean 159 migrants have so-far been detained by Border Force this week, after another 33 people illegally crossed the Channel on Friday

Some 49 were picked up on Monday and 77 on Wednesday, taking the total for February to 221. It is expected this month will surpass January’s total of 223 arrivals. Pictured: Dover today

The French Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea has warned of strong tidal coefficients from Sunday to Tuesday all along the French coast.  

This means the tidal range and difference in water height between high and low tide will be much larger than normal, resulting in huge crashing waves and strong currents.    

A strong tide is considered to be a coefficient of 95 upwards, but Monday is expected to peak at 106.

The Maritime Prefecture added the greater mixing of water can ‘make sea currents stronger and the sea more dangerous’ and advises caution if entering the sea.

However, it is believed this could lead to a desperate dash of migrant crossings before the bad conditions hit. 

The French Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea has warned of strong tidal coefficients from Sunday to Tuesday all along the French coast. Pictured: One of three boats

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