Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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

The man was taken to hospital with suspected stab wounds following the arrival of a small boat into Dover.

Anahita Hossein-Pour
Thursday 21 March 2024 09:56 GMT
Large numbers of people were brought ashore to Dover, Kent, on Wednesday (PA)
Large numbers of people were brought ashore to Dover, Kent, on Wednesday (PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in