Over 10,000 small boat migrants cross Channel illegally this year as hundreds more reach UK waters today

More than 10,000 illegal migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year, after hundreds more reached UK waters today.

The headline figure was reached just after 4pm on Thursday, when the Border Force vessel Volunteer arrived into Dover harbour with 97 illegal immigrants onboard.

So far today, 236 small boat migrants have been taken to the Kent port.

It takes the total number of illegal Channel migrant arrivals this year to just under 10,100.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

GB News can confirm that another two migrant boats are currently in French waters, heading for the UK.

If both make it, the total for today is likely to pass 350.

Weather conditions are likely to remain favourable for crossing through tomorrow and into part of the weekend.

On Monday this week, 710 migrants arrived on 11 dinghies, the biggest single day total so far this year.

Sir Keir Starmer announced yesterday French riot police have joined efforts to stop migrants crossing the Channel.

At the G7 summit in Evian, France, the Prime Minister said the new unit had been deployed as part of his Government’s “landmark” deal with France.

The deal, agreed in April, has seen 50 officers from the Compagnie Republican de Securite (CRS), France’s main anti-riot unit, sent to the Channel coast.

Sir Keir said: “These elite units are just one element of the landmark deal between our countries that is taking our collaboration to the next level.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Illegal migrants make record 22-hour Channel crossing as hundreds arrive in UK
• Two hundred migrants cross Channel after Home Office confirms GB News's small boat bombshell
• Labour backs new powers to FINALLY 'smash the gangs' - after near record year for Channel crossings

“Operations like this meant that almost half of all attempted crossings were halted by the French last month – so we’re boosting them further to continue to drive down crossings.”

In exchange, the UK has agreed to pay France up to £662 million over five years to support beach patrols.

Downing Street claims renewed efforts to co-operate with the French has seen 40 per cent of attempted crossings halted in May.

Some 2,726 people have still made the crossing to Britain in May, around 1,000 fewer made the journey over the same month last year.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter