Border Force seen escorting suspected migrant dinghy to shore in Dover

Image:Border Force patrols have been seen escorting a dinghy of suspected migrants into Dover

A dinghy containing suspected migrants has been towed to the coast at Dover by a Border Force patrol vessel.

Footage of the landing - captured by a Sky News helicopter - appeared to show eight people on-board the small boat as it was brought into shore.

Sky News understands that the dinghy was picked up by fishermen earlier on Sunday morning, before being brought into the Kent town by the Border Force.

Image:Several people could be seen on the small boat as it arrived in the Kent town

Officials were seen helping the suspected migrants disembark and wrapping them in blankets.

The Home Office is yet to respond to a request for comment.

Image:The suspected migrants were helped off the dinghy

It comes amid a spike in the number of migrants risking their lives to cross the English Channelfrom France, despite government attempts to discourage people from trying to make the journey.

Following a number of incidents over Christmas, Home Secretary Sajid Javid redeployed two Border Force cutters from the Mediterranean and is understood to have written to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to request a Royal Navy vessel to patrol the Channel.

Image:The suspected migrants were wrapped in blankets after disembarking their dinghy

During a visit to Dover earlier this month, Mr Javid questioned whether migrants trying to get to the UK via the Channel were "genuine" asylum seekers.

He said: "A question has to be asked: if you are a genuine asylum seeker why have you not sought asylum in the first safe country that you arrived in?"