The number of migrants crossing the Channel so far this year has hit 10,000 in record time under Labour, as the total runs 40% higher than last year despite Starmer’s pledge to “smash the gangs”. The Telegraph has more.
The figure – more than 40% higher than last year’s total at this point of the year – was reached after 120 people arrived in the UK on Monday.
It comes after 247 migrants came ashore in five boats on Sunday, according to Home Office estimates.
The passing of the 10,000 mark comes a month earlier than in 2024, when 10,170 people were recorded as having reached the UK on small boats by May 24th – the previous fastest start to a year.
In 2023, the milestone was not reached until June 17th, while in 2022 it was passed on June 7th. That year, a total of 45,755 crossings were recorded – the highest annual number.
The early surge this year has been partly fuelled by better weather and calmer seas, as well as by people smugglers cramming more migrants into each dinghy.
A shortage of boats, attributed to police interceptions of many vessels before they reach the northern French coast, has led to people-smuggling gangs cramming more people into fewer craft in order to maintain their profits.
The average number of people per boat has been 55 since Sir Keir Starmer came to power. The figure is considerably higher than the 48 people per boat during Rishi Sunak’s tenure, and more than double the 26 under Boris Johnson.
The Home Office has suggested this is partly because of its success in disrupting the supply chain of rigid-hulled inflatable boats across Europe, as well as police stopping more launches.
There were multiple cases of migrant boats getting into difficulties in the Channel on Sunday.
According to official accounts, one passenger on a vessel that departed from the French coast near Calais requested assistance from the crew of a patrol boat after suffering a medical episode.
The person was safely rescued, but the rest of those on board refused help and attempted to continue their journey to the UK, until they were later rescued and brought back to France. Some 19 people were dropped off at Calais, where they were dealt with by local officials.
A boat in distress was also located north of Calais, with 29 people helped to safety by French search and rescue teams before being taken to the port of Boulogne-sur-mer.
At least eight people have lost their lives while attempting to cross the Channel so far this year.
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