PARIS - Riot police are evacuating about 1,000 migrants from a camp in France, as attempted crossings over the English Channel continue.

French riot police entered a gym and tent camp near Dunkirk before dawn on Tuesday to dismantle the facility.

The Grande-Synthe site is home to more than 1,000 migrants, many of whom have congregated there in the hopes of crossing the English Channel into the UK.

French officials said they are carrying out the evacuation because of security and hygiene concerns but there are fears it could cause more dangerous attempts by migrants to reach Britain.

Earlier this month, the number of crossings soared after camps in France were cleared.

Last month, prime minister Boris Johnson warned migrants not to make the attempt to get into the UK.

One charity says migrants should be allowed to claim UK asylum while in France in order to cut down on the dangerous channel crossings.

Among those evacuated from the camp were numerous children with their families.

It was reported that the migrants included a number of Kurds from Iraq.

Earlier this month, a French court ordered that the migrants be removed in order to stem violence and human trafficking in the area.

Officials said the migrants are being taken to temporary shelters and are allowed to apply for asylum.

On Monday, 29 migrants in small boats were rescued off the Kent coast and handed over to UK immigration officials, the Home Office said.

It said Border Force was alerted to a small boat crossing the Channel at about 4.30am and eight men, a woman and two children - who said they were Iraqi and Iranian - were found on board.

Meanwhile the French coastguard said it rescued nine migrants - six men, a woman and two children - shortly after 5am when the engine on their boat failed. They were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer and handed over to police at around 8.15am.

At about 8.30am, Border Force intercepted a group of 11 men, three women and two children who were also taken to Dover and handed over to immigration officials.(FA)