Britain's armed forces have been asked to help deal with boats carrying migrants across the Channel from France, the nation's defense ministry said on Saturday after a spate of arrivals on the southern English coast.
Taking advantage of a spell of hot weather and calm sea conditions, hundreds of people including children and pregnant women have made the dangerous 33-km (21-mile) crossing in recent days, many in overloaded rubber dinghies and other small vessels.
The ministry said it had received a formal request from the Home Office, or interior ministry, to assist the U.K. Border Force with its operations in the Dover Straits.