More than 1,000 people cross Channel in small boats in just two days
A group of people thought to be migrants arrive on the beach in Dungeness, Kent
PA
More than 1,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats in just two days, official figures reveal.
Latest Home Office statistics confirm that 384 were picked up from 7 small boats by Border Force vessels on Saturday.
The day before, 686 arrived in 13 dinghies, taking advantage of an improvement in the weather.
Moderate south westerly winds had made the journey largely impassable for the past week.
A total of 1,070 people made the journey from France on Friday and Saturday.
An over-loaded dinghy carrying migrants in the English Channel prepares to land in the UK PAGB News can reveal that more than 200 others have already crossed in 4 small boats on Sunday morning.
Although there are thundery showers in the Channel, winds are fairly light and wave conditions are calm.
Including today's arrivals, more than 12,700 people have now crossed the English Channel since the beginning of the year.
A record number of migrants arrived in the UK in 2022PAA Home Office spokesperson said: “The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system.
“Our priority is to stop the boats, and our Small Boats Operational Command is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.
“The government has gone further by introducing legislation which will ensure that those people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.”
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