Border force yesterday intercepted 30 migrants crossing the English Channel, two of which were travelling in a kayak.

Two minors, both believed to be teenagers, 27 men and one woman travelling in four separate vessels were stopped by authorities. They identified themselves at Iranian and Afghan nationals. The migrants were travelling in rigid-inflatable boats and two people were recovered from a kayak.

Border Force was alerted to the first incident at around 4am on Friday and deployed a coastal patrol vessel and cutter which intercepted the group. It received a final alert at 7am.

The occupants of the four small boats were transferred to Dover where they were medically assessed and deemed to be well. They were subsequently transferred to immigration facilities for interview.

A Home Office spokesman said anyone crossing the channel in a small boat is taking a “huge risk with their life and the lives of their children”.

Since January more than 60 people who arrived illegally in the UK in small boats have been returned to Europe.

HM Coastguard said it coordinated the search and rescue response to a number of incidents off Kent with Kent Police and Border Force.

“HM Coastguard is only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities,” a spokeswoman said.