By Tom Pyman For Mailonline

Published: 08:20 EDT, 29 June 2022 | Updated: 11:08 EDT, 29 June 2022

Nearly 300 migrants including children wrapped in waterproof jackets and bobble hats arrived on the Kent coast this morning - just hours after a new law came into force threatening traffickers with life in jail.

The first arrivals, of around 40 people, landed on the beach at Dungeness, Kent at sunrise - with at least four children among them. They were led across the pebbles to safety by UK officials who supplied them with bottles of water.

In Dover, witnesses estimated hundreds of people could have arrived in three rescue boats between 7am and around 10.30am.

Border Force cutter patrol ship, HMC Vigilant, landed at around 7am, then another vessel called Typhoon landed around two hours later with Ranger arriving at 10.30am.

Vigilant unloaded between six and nine small RHIBs - rigid inflatable dinghies - that the desperate migrants used to try and travel to the UK, it was claimed.

It had between 80 and 100 passengers, as did Typhoon - whereas Ranger had around 30 to 40 asylum seekers onboard, witnesses said.

It comes after the Nationality and Borders Act came into force yesterday, introducing life sentences for those who smuggle migrants into the UK - up from 14 years imprisonment.

And pressure continues to grow on Home Secretary Priti Patel after migrants landing on Britain's shores have said in recent weeks they will refuse to board deportation flights to Rwanda, amid fears the policy will not deter people from crossing the Channel. 

The first arrivals landed on the beach at Dungeness, Kent at sunrise - with at least four children among them

A group of migrants are brought ashore by Dungeness Lifeboat at sunrise this morning, having been picked up at around 3.50am

It comes after the Nationality and Borders Act came into force yesterday, introducing the tougher sentencing for those who smuggle migrants into the UK - up from 14 years imprisonment

A large number of migrants also arrived in Dover today, after being picked up in the English Channel

A young girl was among the group brought into shore by crews at Dungeness, Kent, early this morning. Another family, with a primary school-aged boy and toddler dressed in an all-in-one rain suit, were led along the walkway a short while later

While today's official figures have yet to be confirmed, the number of people making the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits today comes as a significant increase from Tuesday which saw just 25 migrants cross the Channel in one boat. Pictured, a young boy covered in a blanket after being brought ashore by a RNLI Dungeness lifeboat

Pressure continues to grow on Home Secretary Priti Patel after migrants landing on Britain's shores have said in recent weeks they will refuse to board deportation flights to Rwanda , amid fears the policy will not deter people from crossing the Channel. Pictured, a man, wearing a life jacket, and a young boy walk across the beach to safety this morning

Those with children were helped off the boat first. One man could be seen carrying a tiny baby dressed in a pink bobble hat in his arms as he disembarked the vessel. A woman is pictured with her arm around a young boy, both covered in a blanket, as they walk on the beach at Dungeness, Kent

Pictured, a man holding a young boy at around 3.50am this morning after being picked up in the English Channel in 'quite rough conditions. It comes after the Nationality and Borders Act came into force yesterday, introducing the tougher sentencing for those who smuggle migrants into the UK - up from 14 years imprisonment

As the boat approached the harbour in Dover this morning, around 50 soldiers could be seen on hand to assist with Border Force operations. It is thought the Army personnel are present as part of training.

Those with children were helped off the boat first. One man could be seen carrying a tiny baby dressed in a pink bobble hat in his arms as he disembarked the vessel. 

He was followed by two women - one carrying a sleeping toddler and another carrying a small boy in a red beanie.

Soldiers handed them blankets to wrap around the children once they reached the gangway.

Another family, with a primary school-aged boy and toddler dressed in an all-in-one rain suit, were led along the walkway a short while later.

While today's official figures have yet to be confirmed, the number of people making the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits today comes as a significant increase from Tuesday which saw just 25 migrants cross the Channel in one boat, according to data released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

It takes the total number of people rescued trying to reach the UK in dinghies and other small craft to 2,773 so far in June and 12,337 so far this year - more than double the same time last year.

Families carried small children as they were brought to shore by lifeboat crews in Dungeness, Kent, this morning

As the boat approached the harbour in Dover this morning, around 50 soldiers could be seen on hand to assist with Border Force operations

A group of migrants are brought ashore in Dungeness, just as the sun begins to rise above the Kent coast this morning

The first arrivals landed on the beach at Dungeness, Kent at sunrise - with at least four children among them

While today's official figures have yet to be confirmed, the number of people making the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits today comes as a significant increase from Tuesday

It takes the total number of people rescued trying to reach the UK in dinghies and other small craft to 2,773 so far in June and 12,337 so far this year - more than double the same time last year

According to official government figures, 28,526 people made the crossing in 2021 - compared to 8,410 who arrived in 2020

According to official government figures, 28,526 people made the crossing in 2021 - compared to 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke has said: 'These shocking figures underline yet again why urgent action is needed.

'It's disappointing that the efforts being made by the Government to save lives and stop the people traffickers are being undermined by people who should know better.

'They should think again and support the action being taken to bring these treacherous journeys to an end.

'Let's not forget that these criminal smuggling gangs have a callous disregard for everyone.

'Too many lives have been lost in doomed attempts to cross the English Channel. It needs to end.'

This nonsense must END, and END NOW. Yes to limit...

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