Britain has been urged to take bold action to deter migrants attempting Channel crossings as a charity sounded the alert about a surge in people who have left their homes seeking help in Calais.

Care4Calais told supporters that in "recent weeks we have seen a 33% increase in the number of refugees attending our distributions in Calais" - many of whom are women and children.

Since Labour came to power in July 2024, more than 72,000 people have been recorded as arriving in the UK in small boats, with more than 7,300 arriving so far this year.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "A third more migrants in Calais waiting to cross is exactly what Labour's border failure looks like in real time. More than 70,000 illegal immigrants have crossed the Channel under Keir Starmer - the highest number under any Prime Minister -, and this new surge confirms the pipeline is not shrinking.

"The only thing that stops this is a Government willing to ban asylum claims from illegal arrivals, leave the ECHR and deport people within a week of arrival, that is what the Conservative Borders plan delivers. Until then, the queues in Calais will keep growing."

In its message to supporters, Care4Calais stated it had encountered "truly disturbing stories that shake the very foundations of our humanity"

It said: "Care4Calais remains the only clothing provider supporting the refugee community in Calais, and this recent increase is placing huge pressure on our resources."

Urging the public to support its efforts, it said it "urgently" needs more stock; otherwise, we won't be able to continue our distributions.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "This Government is bearing down on small boat crossings. The Home Secretary has signed a landmark new deal with France to boost enforcement action on beaches and put people smugglers behind bars.

"This builds on joint work that has stopped over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross the channel since the election. We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally and are going further to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to this country."