SMALL BOATS SURGE
Migrant Channel crossings are at highest rate of any year on record
This comes as another overloaded boat, which set off from France, was picked up UK Border Force yesterday
MIGRANT Channel crossings are at the highest rate of any year on record — with another crammed boatload picked up by Border Force yesterday.
In the first four days of March, 1,168 migrants arrived in Britain.
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It takes the 2025 total so far to 3,224, which is more than any previous year at the same point.
The figure is expected to rise again today after another overloaded vessel was spotted coming across the Channel from France.
Dozens of migrants straddled the side of an inflatable boat in choppy waters.
They were rescued by Border Force after French navy officers opted not to rescue them.
READ MORE ON CHANNEL CROSSINGS
Home Office sources said sunny weather was behind the recent rise but admitted it needed to do more to stop small boats.
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted: “The Labour government has presided over the worst start to the year for small boat crossings.
“They’ve lost control of our borders. By cancelling the Rwanda deterrent and allowing 96 per cent of illegal Channel immigrants to stay, they’ve opened our country’s doors.
“We have a weak PM and a weak Home Secretary. They should hang their heads in shame.”
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Labour insisted removals of foreign offenders were being ramped up and that deals have been struck with other countries to curb illegal migration.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
“We are delivering real change in our approach through legislation to create new tools, powers, offences and enforcement action which will keep us one step ahead of the people smuggling gangs.”
Illegal migrants are being warned they face slavery if they come to Britain on small boats in a new advertising campaign
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