More migrants have crossed Channel and arrived in UK this month than in all of last year

More migrants have crossed the Channel and arrived in Britain so far this month than in the whole of last year as another 393 people reached the UK on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “tragic” that people were “coming across in rubber dinghies and children's paddling pools” and that they were being “cheated” by smuggling gangs as he once again promised to change the law once Britain leaves the EU.

In September 1,880 people made the dangerous crossing, more than the 1,800 who travelled in the whole of 2019. And there is still a week to go.

And pressure is continuing to grow on the French Navy, after figures released on Wednesday that they stopped only 10 of the 32 boats that took to the water.

Home Secretary Priti Patel vowed to make the route “unviable” but nearly 7,000 people have successfully crossed this year.

Millions of pounds have been invested into drones and surveillance technology but Tuesday marked the second highest total number of people on record to reach Britain in this way.

“The legal position is currently very difficult because of the inflexible and rigid Dublin regulation for returns,” said Boris Johnson in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

“People think there is a way in which is legally difficult to resist.

“Tragic for those who are coming across in rubber dinghies or children’s paddling pools, cheated by the gangs.

Once the UK is out of the EU, "I have no doubt we will find a way forward," he added.

In July, a group of migrants was fished out of the Channel after attempting to make the crossing in an inflatable paddling pool - using road signs to steer.

The men nearly made it out of French waters, around 14 miles off the coast, when they were stopped and returned to Calais.

Another similar incident was reported in August.

The newly appointed ‘Clandestine Channel Threat Commander’ Dan O’Mahoney met with the French Ambassador in London on Tuesday where he “reiterated the urgency to tackle the issue.”

In a statement, he said: “We discussed how best the UK and France can use new tactics and operational activity to stop the boats leaving French shores in the first place.

“Yesterday French law enforcement conducted nine operations across the Calais region, destroyed a number of boats so individuals could not attempt to cross, and prevented at least 98 migrants from crossing to the UK – but we acknowledge there is more to be done.

“France is a safe country and asylum seekers already in France should claim asylum there.”

Critics have said that France needs to do more.

Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal said: “The number of illegal entrants breaking into Britain is unacceptable. More action is needed to stop boats leaving French shores in the first place and turn them back to France.

“Safety at sea starts with stopping small boats leaving French shores in the first place. When boats do launch, they must be turned around at the earliest opportunity, closer to land. Only then will we see an end of the small boat crossings.”

Questions have also been asked about the way the Home Office counts the figures.

"I am deeply suspicious of these numbers," said Nigel Farage, Brexit Party leader.

"I have been out in the Channel, seen boats, asked the Home Office for a list of incidents, and that list bore no relation to what I saw.

"Yesterday, I was told that as many as 54 boats had crossed."

But a Home Office source hit back at the claims saying there was "no truth" in them.

"It is not in our or anyone's interest to put out incorrect numbers.

"It takes time to confirm the figures for everyone who passes through the port or who makes landfall. Sometimes we have to work with the police if people have been apprehended on land.

"It is also worth noting that we often receive multiple reports for the same vessel spotted in the Channel. That may be why some people think the number of vessels may be higher."

Last week, The Telegraph was in the Channel when a French navy patrol boat escorted a small inflatable carrying 16 Afghans into British waters and abandoned them. The boat was struggling in the water for more than 40 minutes until those aboard were rescued by Border Force.