Home Secretary Orders Review After 2 Migrant Boats Reach Kent, First Undetected Landing in 1 Year
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 23
Home Secretary Orders Review After 2 Migrant Boats Reach Kent, First Undetected Landing in 1 Year
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 23
Summary
Two migrant boats reached Kent beaches without interception on Monday and Tuesday, prompting Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to order an urgent Border Security Command review.
Twenty-one people were detained after Tuesday's landing at Samphire Hoe and five after Monday's near Folkestone, which officials described as the first undetected landing for a year.
The Home Office has not said whether more people are being sought; those detained were taken to Western Jet Foil for processing as Kent Police and border officers investigate.
Tuesday's three boats brought 154 migrants to the UK, including one uncontrolled landing, taking this year's total to 17,784.
Before Monday, no small boats had been officially recorded arriving in the UK without an escort since 6 September 2025, even as 2026 arrivals remain 44.7% below the same point last year.