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		</div><p>A Royal Navy vessel has been deployed to patrol the Straits of Dover amid concern about refugees crossing the English Channel.</p>
<p>The move follows a request from British Home Secretary Sajid Javid for naval support in dealing with the situation.</p>
<p>Sending HMS Mersey to patrol the Channel marks a significant escalation of the response to the migration issue after Mr Javid earlier this week announced the redeployment of two Border Force cutters from the Mediterranean.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that <a href="https://twitter.com/hms_mersey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hms_mersey</a> will deploy to the Dover Straits to assist the UK Border Force with migrant border crossings. <a href="https://t.co/ghtKhLy8PR">pic.twitter.com/ghtKhLy8PR</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Ministry of Defence ð¬ð§ (@DefenceHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1080935933254533120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: <em>“I can confirm that HMS Mersey will deploy to the Dover Straits to assist the UK Border Force and French authorities with their response to migrant crossings.</em></p>
<p><em>“The professionalism of the Royal Navy means the crew have been able to immediately divert from routine operations to help prevent migrants from making the dangerous journey across the Channel.”</em></p>
<p>Mr Javid said: <em>“My focus continues to be on protecting the UK border and preventing loss of life in the Channel.</em></p>
<p><em>“For these reasons, the Government has decided to deploy a navy vessel, HMS Mersey, to support our existing efforts.</em></p>
<p><em>“This will be an interim measure while the two Border Force cutters I have redeployed from abroad make their way back to UK waters.</em></p>
<p><em>“It is vital that we are working on all fronts to tackle this ongoing situation and I am grateful to Border Force and other agencies for the tireless work they have done in response to this activity.”</em></p>
<p>HMS Mersey, which left Portsmouth on Thursday afternoon, is one of four Royal Navy river class patrol vessels.</p>
<p>It launched in June 2013, has a crew of around 45 sailors and a range of 7,800 sea miles, according to the Royal Navy website.</p>
<p>The cost of the offshore patrol vessel’s deployment will be met by the Home Office, a spokesperson said.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We will do whatever it takes to protect the UK border and human life. </p>
<p>Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoyalNavy</a> <a href="https://t.co/cKKhpNX7rB">https://t.co/cKKhpNX7rB</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) <a href="https://twitter.com/sajidjavid/status/1080947089146855424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Meanwhile, detectives are continuing to question two men arrested on suspicion of arranging the illegal movement of migrants into the UK.</p>
<p>A UK National Crime Agency spokeswoman said a 33-year-old Iranian national and a 24-year-old British man were arrested in Manchester on Wednesday evening. They remain in police custody.</p>
<p> ;</p>
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