UK authorities dealt with more than 200 illegal immigrants attempting to cross the Channel on Sunday, the Home Office said. It comes as the government announced heavier prison sentences for immigrants seeking to make their way to the UK on small boats, as well as their people-smuggling enablers. According to the Home Office, Border Force officials intervened in six incidents on Sunday involving 212 people, while French authorities reported seven interceptions and prevented a further 238 people from reaching the UK. Record numbers of people have made the perilous journey across the English Channel in small boats so far this year, with nearly 6,000 reaching the UK in the first six months of 2021. The total figure for 2020—8,417—could be eclipsed within two months if the number of crossings seen in July and August last year is repeated, PA news agency analysis has shown. Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O’Mahoney …