21 March 2024

Migrant reports assault on French beach before crossing Channel, police say

21 March 2024

A stabbed migrant has reported being assaulted on a beach near Calais before crossing the Channel, Kent Police have said.

The force were called to a report of a man with suspected stab wounds at 12.52pm on Wednesday after he arrived on a boat at Dover Western Docks.

The man was taken to hospital for his injuries and has since been discharged, the police said.

A Kent Police spokesperson added: “Kent Police received a report of a man with injuries consistent with stab wounds, following the arrival of a small boat at Dover Western Docks.

“He has reported that he was assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France while he made the crossing to the UK.

“Details of the incident are being passed to authorities in France for further investigation.”

The emergency response came amid a busy day for Channel crossings, with pictures showing large numbers of people being brought ashore by Border Force in Dover.

Some 3,529 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after making the journey from France, according to the latest provisional Home Office figures.

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