Migrant crisis: Over a thousand people have already crossed English Channel in small boats in 2023

Almost 1,200 people have crossed the English Channel by small boat since the beginning of the year, after more than 180 arrived in UK waters on Sunday.

Latest figures from the Ministry of Defence reveal 189 crossed in five small boats.

Other migrant boats attempted to enter UK waters but were made to turn back to France.
GB News

Several other migrant boats failed to make it across the line into UK waters and were forced to turn back to France.

French coastguards and border patrol vessels had to intervene to rescue those on board two small boats which got into difficulties off the coast near Dunkirk on Sunday morning.

Fifty-four people were taken off one of the boats. 29 were rescued from the second inflatable.

Those picked up were taken back to shore by French maritime authorities and checked over by medics.

54 people were taken off one of the boats. 29 were rescued from the second inflatable.
GB News

Official figures now confirm that since 1 January, 1,180 people crossed the Channel.

Tomorrow, the Home Office will officially take over control of Channel migrant operations from the Ministry of Defence, which has coordinated efforts since last April.

The new Small Boats Operational Command will bring together Border Force, the military and the National Crime Agency.

The government claims the new command structure will provide a more “effective response” to the small boats crisis.

The issue is one of Rishi Sunak’s five key priorities, after almost 45,000 people arrived by small boat last year.

Home Office officials have been privately planning for the possible arrival of up to twice that number in the year ahead.