A Kent MP is seeking a meeting with the new Home Secretary to discuss the ongoing issue of small boats crossing the Channel.

Damian Collins, whose Folkestone and Hythe constituency often sees boats carrying asylum seekers brought ashore, hopes to discuss the controversial topic with Suella Braverman following her appointment at the Home Office.

His request comes as thousands continue to make the perilous sea voyage from the French coast to Kent, despite repeated government promises to crack down on the route.

According to government figures, 28,526 made the crossing in small boats in 2021 – a figure already surpassed in 2022 with more than three months of the year to go.

Yesterday alone more than 1,000 people crossed the Channel, the day after the total for the year exceeded 30,000.

Mr Collins said: “I’ve written to the new Home Secretary asking if she can meet with me to discuss the small boat crossings in the Channel.

“We need to stop people making these dangerous crossings.

“Thanks to the work of Border Force, and in particular the team based at Lydd, we have improved surveillance of the channel and most vessels are now detected at sea and brought in for processing, but we want to stop the boats leaving the French coast in the first place.

“Taking action against the people trafficking gangs is also important and our new laws mean that they can now face life imprisonment for committing trafficking offences.”

The Home Office declined to comment on Mr Collins’ request for a meeting with the Home Secretary.

A departmental spokesman said: “The continued rise of dangerous Channel crossings is a clear abuse of our immigration laws, risking the lives of vulnerable people and funding immoral criminal gangs.

“Despite the lies they have been sold by the people smugglers, migrants who travel through safe countries to illegally enter the UK will not be allowed to start a new life here.

“Anyone who crosses in genuine need of asylum will be in scope to be relocated to Rwanda under our Migration and Economic Development Partnership.”