A SUSSEX MP fears a beach in her constituency has become “the chosen destination” for many attempting to travel between France and the UK.

Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings and Rye, has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel to voice her “deep unease” over the “increase in Channel crossings by migrants and the landings taking place at Pett Level”.

She said her concerns were shared by “many constituents”.

The Conservative posted her message on social media for all to see last week.

She said: “For several months now it has become clear that the chosen destination for many of these crossings is to land the boats along the coastline at Pett Level, which sits between Hastings and Rye in my constituency.

“This continued arrival of migrant boats is causing deep unease and concern to local residents, especially in the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’m sure you can appreciate this unease and I therefore have several questions I wish to raise with you.”

She asked Ms Patel about what work is being done with European partners and what checks are being carried out to ensure migrants are not arriving in the UK infected with coronavirus.

She said: “I appreciate that among some of those taking the perilous crossing over the Channel there are asylum seekers who should be treated with the care, consideration and support you’d expect.”

However, she believes the crossings are “clearly” being used by economic migrants as well and called for a “robust” response.

Since lockdown began, at least 598 migrants have been brought to the UK, according to data gathered by the PA news agency.

This is more than half the entire total for 2020, which was 976 as of last week.

Ms Hart is not the only politician to have raised concerns over the increased number of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel and land in Sussex during the UK lockdown.

In recent weeks, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has twice visited the South Coast in an attempt to highlight the issue. After visiting Hastings and Fairlight, he travelled to Dover.

Speaking from the site, he said: “I’m not going to let this story drop.

“I witnessed first hand our Border Force acting as a taxi service for illegal migrants in Dover this morning.

“This scandal continues and people have got every right to be angry about it.”

He was later spoken to by police over breaching lockdown guidelines.