English Channel small boat migrants hit 25,000 in July for first time
In the whole of 2020 there were 8,461 crossings, and in 2019 that number was 1,835.In 2018 there were 297 people recorded making the journey, although figures were only published from 3 November.The dates on which 25,000 people made the crossing in previous years are:2021 - 20 November2022 - 27 August2023 - 2 October2024 - 4 OctoberThe annual total for 2025 hit 10,000 at the end of April, and 20,000 by the end of June.Also in June the government released figures highlighting the increased number of days with favourable weather for making the journey in 2024 and 2025.
A decade of small boats - how did it all begin?Record number of lone children on small boatsFrench police slash inflatable migrant boat heading for UK
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security."The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice."That is why this government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage."Through international intelligence sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced enforcement operations in Northern France and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, we are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders."
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