Arrest of Two Iranians and a British National in Connection with Migrants Crossing the English Channel

Reports indicate that British police have arrested an Iranian citizen and a British citizen in connection with the 'illegal' transfer of migrants to the UK via the English Channel. The National Crime Agency has announced that a 34-year-old Iranian and a 24-year-old British national were arrested in Manchester. This news comes as the number of migrants crossing the English Channel from France to the UK has significantly increased in recent months. The Daily Telegraph reports that at least 239 people have managed to reach British soil by crossing the Channel in the past two months. The National Crime Agency stated in a press release regarding the arrests that it cannot provide further details as investigations are ongoing. In this context, Sajid Javid, the UK Home Secretary, visited 'Dover' on the English Channel coast on Wednesday to meet with border forces and the coast guard. According to the BBC, last week, 12 migrants were stopped by border forces after crossing the Channel at the Kent coast. Sajid Javid has expressed support for intensified measures by the UK to combat migrant crossings via the Channel, noting that 80% of the 539 individuals who attempted to cross the Channel in small boats in 2018 have made such attempts in the last three months. The recent surge in the number of people attempting to reach the UK via the Channel prompted the Home Secretary to cut short his holiday to return to his office to address the issue. Sajid Javid stated that recent events have become 'a serious issue.' Caroline Nokes, the UK Immigration Minister, also mentioned last week that 'a large-scale intelligence operation is underway' to detain asylum seekers and migrants in France, where they launch small boats to reach the UK. However, the Immigration Minister emphasized that 'human lives are at risk and they will be rescued wherever necessary.' Reports indicate that many asylum seekers and migrants who have reached Calais in France are trying to cross the Channel by boat, while French and British police forces have increased surveillance and monitoring on roads, including in the Channel Tunnel.