Hundreds of migrants are intercepted by the UK Border Force in the English Channel

Several groups of migrants have been intercepted by the Border Force in the English Channel.

Migrants are intercepted by the UK Border Force

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) refused to say how many people were involved until Monday; although people who count arrivals in Dover told the BBC it was more over 200.

The government is “cracking down on people smugglers,” according to the Ministry of Defense.

It is believed that this is the first time in 11 days that there have been crossings.

Some pundits have claimed that the potential of being deported to Rwanda is already serving as a deterrent; but the weather in the Channel has been windy for the previous 11 days; which is likely to have had a greater impact.

“The spike in risky Channel crossings is unacceptable,” a representative for the Ministry of Defense said.

“Not only are they an open violation of our immigration laws, but they also have an impact on the UK taxpayer, they put lives at danger, and limit our capacity to assist refugees in entering the UK through safe and lawful channels.”

Last month, Prime Minister David Cameron declared that the Ministry of Defence had assumed leadership of the operational response to small boat crossings in the English Channel.

The government has revealed plans to provide one-way tickets to Rwanda to some asylum seekers who cross the English Channel to the UK.

Opposition parties, charities, and the Church of England, however, have criticised the system as harsh.