Ukrainian refugee fleeing UK police tried to cross Channel in kayak

A Ukrainian refugee understood to be on the run from British police attempted to cross the English Channel to France in a kayak on Sunday, it has emerged.

The on-the-run kayaker was initially spotted by a member of the public off the south coast of England, and lifeboats rushed to sea to find him, but to no avail.

As the refugee reached the middle of the stretch of water, he was picked up by the Marshall Art, a geographic survey vessel whose crew spotted him paddling towards their boat.

The Marshall Art had been in French waters at the time – as a result, the Ukrainian was taken to Calais where he was dealt with by local authorities.

A conversation between the research vessel and both British and French coastguards as they tried to work out what was happening has since been revealed by The Telegraph.

In the recording, a crewmate on board the Marshall Art can be heard calling up coastguards in Dover to ask whether they knew of “any kayakers doing anything that has been arranged”.

The Marshall Art continued: “We have just spotted a kayaker roughly 300 to 400 metres off our stern. We are quite a long way off and in the middle [of the Channel]. In this weather, I am not sure if he intends to be here.”

In response, coastguards back in Dover said they weren’t aware of any such activity and asked whether crew had seen any signs of distress.

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The survey boat said: “None yet, but he is making quite a direct course for our vessel so I would guess he is looking for help,” adding that the refugee was “working rather hard” to get close to the Marshall Art.

Once he had been pulled aboard, the Marshall Art told Dover coastguard that the Ukrainian was asking not to be arrested, saying: “I suspect what he wants to do is, after a rest, get back on his kayak.

“He is unclear about his destination… He was asking for directions to France. He has come on board for a rest and a drink, but he has expressed concern that we may arrest him.”

Maritime sources told the Telegraph the Ukrainian was on the run from police back in the UK – but the nature of any potential offence remains unclear.

GB News has approached Kent Police for more information.

Reports of the attempted kayak crossing to France come as the number of small boats travelling in the other direction has surpassed a fresh milestone.

GB News revealed just days ago that 7,000 small boat migrants have crossed the English Channel in the eight weeks since Labour came to power.

Though the PM has doubled down on his pledge to “smash the gangs” involved in the people-smuggling trade.