A dinghy carrying up to seven migrants reached the coast near Folkestone after reportedly evading French and UK patrols, prompting criticism of the Government’s border controls. Five people were detained, while some were reportedly unaccounted for before police and immigration officers arrived; these reports were unconfirmed.

The landing was described as the first known uncontrolled migrant-boat arrival in more than a year. Officials said it was unclear how the boat travelled at least 21 miles from northern France without detection, amid concerns that smugglers are using longer routes; 17,480 small-boat migrants had reached Britain so far this year, 46 per cent fewer than at the same point last year.