Migrant crossings pass major milestone as 19,000 people braved dangerous small boats

This morning, GB News has seen two Border Force vessels arrive at the migrant processing facility in Dover Harbour.

GB News Kent producer counted 97 people off the first Border Force catamaran Typhoon.

He said he thought the catamaran was carrying the occupants of two small boats.

Around 11am today, the Border Force vessel Ranger brought around 80 people to Dover.

Sources report another small boat was under escort by French authorities, as it headed towards UK waters.

Those arriving so far today bring the total number of Channel migrants who have made the crossing since the start of the year to just over 19,000.

It comes as the Government insists its ‘Stop the Boats’ plan is working.

Official sources point out that in August last year, 8,600 people crossed the Channel in small boats, compared to 3,900 so far this August.

However, crossings over the last two days take this year’s August total to almost 4,300.

Including today, there are still 9 days to go until the end of August, with good weather predicted for much of the next week ahead.

Overall, the number crossing the Channel this year is around 13 per cent down on the same period last year.

But maritime experts have told GB News that a run of flat calm days in the Channel could easily see that gap diminish in the next few weeks.

It comes after the Border Force issued an internal 'red alert' that predicts a high number of small boat arrivals this week.