THE number of migrants arriving off the Sussex coast in small boats has soared in the past year.
The total number of migrants arriving in small vessels nationwide reached 1,900 in 2019.
A further 1,235 people were intercepted by French authorities in 2019.
Several boats have been intercepted off the Sussex coast in recent months.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid declared a “major incident” after 138 migrants arrived in boats in December 2018.
Last month, 283 migrants landed on the Kent and Sussex coast, according to research by the BBC – more than double the December 2018 figure.
In July, 38 migrants including several children, were rescued from dinghies off Hastings. A further 25 had to be rescued by lifeboat crews in December.
Police appealed for help tracking down a further group that made it to shore in October.
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