So far this year, 25,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel

GB News can exclusively reveal that almost half of the total number of small-boat migrants crossing the Channel this year have arrived in the 11 weeks since Labour came to power.

The revelation comes after the number of people crossing the border illegally from France reached a new milestone.

GB News counted more than 1,400 migrants in small boats in Dover harbour over the weekend, bringing the total since the start of the year to 25,000.

In the just two and a half months since Labour won the general election, 11,500 have now crossed the border.

In the just two and a half months since Labour won the general election, 11,500 have now crossed

GB News

The latest total is more than 1,000 higher than the number of small-boat migrants arriving illegally in British waters this time last year.

It is just over 4,000 away from surpassing the dismal 29,437 reached by the end of 2023.

Despite heavy thunderstorms and stormy conditions in the Channel over the weekend, 707 migrants arrived on Saturday in 11 small boats.

On Sunday, GB News counted more than 700 others, mostly young men, as they were transferred to Border Force’s migrant processing centre at the port of Dover.

A senior maritime security source said people-smuggling gangs were taking “increasing risks” by sending migrant boats into the Channel before conditions deteriorated in the winter months.

This year, 47 migrants have already died in multiple accidents involving small boats.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Despite heavy thunderstorms and stormy conditions in the Channel over the weekend, 707 migrants arrived on Saturday in 11 small boats

GB News

Just over a week ago, eight migrants died when their small boat got into trouble and ran aground on rocks in Pas-de-Calais.

Less than two weeks before that tragedy, 12 migrants had died, the worst loss of life since the Channel collapse in 2021, when 27 migrants died.

The security source said: “It is clear that smuggling gangs are prepared to push the boundaries with these already shaky boats.

“This year we have had almost 50 deaths, and we are not even in the most dangerous months yet.

“But what we are seeing now is criminal gangs taking every opportunity to launch boats.

“And that means boats are going into the water when the conditions are right on the edge of what is acceptable. It is extremely dangerous.”

The latest total is more than 1,000 higher than the number of small boat migrants arriving illegally in British waters this time last year

GB News

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to destroy the gangs as he shifts focus to the best way to end small boat crossings.

More than 30 people were arrested in the UK over the weekend as part of a Home Office crackdown on people smugglers.

Immigration enforcement teams worked with the National Crime Agency, UK police and international partners to arrest 31 suspects in locations including Belfast, Liverpool and Luton as part of a three-day operation.

Border Security and Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “This Government will not stand by and watch as criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, putting their lives at risk and giving them false hope of a better life in the UK.

“We will fight them on all fronts, led by our new border security commander.”

But with the number of small boat crossings still higher than last year and showing no signs of abating, any attempt to dismantle people smuggling across the Channel will inevitably be a long-term issue.