A group of forty migrants including young children set out on an inflatable boat bound for Britain from France today

As the number of Channel crossings topped 13,000 this year, a party of forty migrants, including small children, set off in an inflatable boat from France for Britain today.

Before attempting to cross the English Channel, small children in red life jackets were seen on the French shore close to Gravelines.

One immigrant even gave the photographer photographing the departures the middle finger.

It is unknown if the crammed inflatable boat made it to the opposite side of the lake.

Parents were guiding their children on the dangerous journey.

The fact that every announced contender for the Conservative leadership has pledged to maintain Boris Johnson’s Rwanda deportation policy if elected prime minister hasn’t deterred the migrants.

Priti Patel, the home secretary, was one of the few cabinet members who did not abruptly resign earlier this week, which led to Johnson’s demise. Patel is rumoured to be exploring a bid for prime minister herself.

The French government had to rescue 166 migrants on Wednesday after their dinghies encountered problems off the coast in several instances between Calais, Boulogne, and Le Touquet.

They were delivered to border police after being brought back to French ports.

By over 400 vessels, 13,103 people have officially been captured by Border Force so far this year after attempting the perilous journey in tiny boats.

The statistics for today have not yet been verified.

The latest departures occur despite coordinated French and British attempts to dismantle people-smuggling groups. The weather is calm and bright.

Court challenges have prevented Britain from starting the deportation of asylum applicants to Rwanda for processing, which is meant to be a deterrent.

Government statistics show that 28,526 persons travelled in 2021, compared to 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

According to France, French security personnel have stopped 61% of attempted border crossings this year, an increase of 4.2% over the same period last year.

A Government spokesperson said at the time: ‘The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

‘Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws, but they risk lives and hinder our ability to help refugees who come to the UK through safe and legal routes.

‘The Nationality and Borders Act will enable us to crack down on abuse of the system and the evil people smugglers, who will now be subject to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

‘Under our new Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda, we are continuing preparations to relocate those who are making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys into the UK in order for their claims to be considered and rebuild their lives.’