Migrant ‘on the run from British police’ tries to kayak across Channel to France

A migrant fleeing British police attempted to cross the Channel to France by kayak.

The refugee, believed to be from Ukraine, was first spotted off the British coast by a member of the public, prompting a search by a lifeboat in Dover.

When the man reached mid-Channel, he was picked up by the crew of a research vessel in French waters, the Telegraph reported.

The disaster comes after a dangerously overcrowded boat carrying 60 migrants narrowly avoided sinking in the Channel last week.

On Sunday, the migrant was taken to Calais. Recorded footage documents the moment the French and British coastguards try to determine his intentions.

Pictured: A group of people believed to be migrants are taken by Border Force into Dover, Kent on August 21

According to the Dover Coastguard, the man was “heading straight towards our vessel so I suspect he is looking for help.”

Maritime sources said the man was on the run from police in the UK, but it did not specify what offence he was suspected of.

Last week it was announced that 614 migrants had crossed the Channel, bringing the total number of crossings this year to 20,433.

The milestone was reached after 10 boats were intercepted in the Strait of Dover. The dangerous crossing was made by an average of 61 people per inflatable boat.

Arrivals via the Channel are 3 percent higher than at the same time in 2023 (19,801) and 18 percent lower than in 2022 (25,065), an analysis of government data shows.

It is the second highest number of arrivals in a single day since the general election, after 703 arrivals on August 11.

The highest number ever this year was 882 on June 18.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which undermine border security and put lives at risk.

‘The new government is taking steps to improve our border security. We are creating a new Border Security Command, bringing together our intelligence and law enforcement agencies. We are getting new powers to fight terrorism, with hundreds of staff based in the UK and abroad. Together we will tackle the criminal smuggling gangs that are making millions in profits.’

The charges follow reports that a female migrant died last Tuesday after being thrown overboard in the Channel.

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Migrant ‘on the run from British police’ tries to kayak across Channel to France