UK appoints 'threat commander' as more migrants cross Channel on boats

On Thursday, 235 people were brought ashore, a record number for a single day. More than 650 have arrived so far in August, including babies and unaccompanied children

The British government has appointed a former Royal Marine commando to try to stop people crossing the English Channel from France in small boats.

The government said Sunday that Dan O'Mahoney, who currently heads the UK's Joint Maritime Security Center, has been named clandestine Channel threat commander.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said O'Mahoney would work with French authorities on stronger enforcement measures, including intercepting boats at sea, to make this route unviable. Britain's Conservative government has talked tough amid a surge in the number of migrants crossing the Channel during recent warm summer weather.

On Thursday, 235 people were brought