EXTRA speedboat patrols will be mounted along the Dorset coast amid concerns over migrants crossing the English Channel by boat.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said funding will be provided for an extra officer and that the area is "really vulnerable" to people smugglers.

In recent weeks Border Force teams have intercepted numerous migrants trying to cross the Channel and Mr Underhill said the south coast's more western counties such as Dorset could be targets.

"We know that there are 1.8 million refugees in Europe and if we've got these people coming in and we don't know about them, that puts our nation's security on the line" he said.

"There used to be customs boats in every port, now we have none."

The Dorset Police marine unit currently has just two officers patrolling a 90-mile stretch of coast up to 12 miles out to sea.

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire promised the system will adapt to react to the challenges faced and said more co-ordination hubs and patrol vessels are being introduced.