Afghans with western links among rising number trying to cross Channel

Fivefold increase in refugees from Afghanistan crossing in small boats this year as they flee Taliban

Refugees who worked alongside international organisations in Afghanistan are among a rising number of Afghan asylum seekers in camps in northern France planning to cross the Channel in small boats.

The number of asylum seekers from Afghanistan crossing the Channel in small boats has risen fivefold this year, according to immigration figures released last week, as more refugees flee in the wake of the Taliban takeover.