More than 10,000 illegal Channel crossings to the UK since the start of the year

More than 10,000 migrants have been found crossing the English Channel in small boats since the start of the year, according to figures released on Sunday by Britain’s Home Office, which has been relentlessly cracking down on illegal crossings.

Seven boats reached British shores with 374 people on board on Saturday alone, bringing the total number of migrants who have made the dangerous route since the start of the year to 10,139, according to a daily report published by the government.

2,500 people in one week

However, this number is lower than what was seen at the same time last year. But after weeks of unfavorable weather, crossings have risen sharply in recent days thanks to better weather, with more than 2,500 people arriving on British shores between June 10 and 17.

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Throughout 2022, more than 45,000 crossings have been recorded, a record. The fight against illegal immigration is one of the priorities of the conservative majority in power, which has so far struggled to inspire candidates even as it toughens its policies.

Last year, the government passed a law – so far blocked by the courts – to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. A new bill, which has been criticized all the way to the UN, plans to block migrants arriving through the Channel from claiming asylum.

London has signed several agreements with other countries such as France or Albania to better fight against this illegal immigration.