More than 7,000 people have crossed the Channel since Labour came to power

GB News can exclusively reveal that more than 7,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats in the just eight weeks since Labour came to power.

This remarkable figure represents a third of the total number of migrants who have made the illegal journey from France so far this year.

The 7,000 milestone was reached this morning after another 150 migrants entered British waters in three small boats.

The arrival brings the total number of migrants crossing the Channel in just three days this week to almost 1,300.

Migrant crisis: More than 7,000 people have crossed the Channel since Labour came to powerGETTY

Bad weather prevented people smugglers from launching their small boats from French beaches for more than a week.

However, on Tuesday conditions improved and 525 migrants were able to make the illegal journey in eight small boats.

Yesterday another 614 crossed in 11 rowing boats.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has doubled down on his pledge to destroy the gangs involved in people smuggling.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Migrants arrive on a Border Patrol vessel

During a visit to Germany yesterday, Sir Keir said he did not regret scrapping the previous government’s deterrence plan for Rwanda, which he called a ploy.

Labour is currently recruiting an additional 100 detectives for the National Crime Agency.

The new teams will be tasked with targeting organised crime groups involved in people smuggling across the Channel.

However, security sources have told GB News that there has been no decline in the number of migrants heading to northern France with the intention of crossing to the UK.

A source said: “From Dunkirk, through Calais to Boulogne, thousands of people are still camping, waiting for their turn to be called forward by the smuggling gangs.

“This is traditionally the busiest time of the year and all indications are that this trend will continue.”

Attempts by French authorities to stop smugglers before they can collect and launch their boats have led to a sharp increase in violent attacks on police.

In the latest incident, a French police officer was injured after colleagues stopped a smuggling vehicle full of life jackets and other maritime equipment.

The incident near Boulogne in the early hours of Wednesday led to major chaos, with a large group of migrants attacking police and throwing missiles at them.

The clashes in France come after human rights groups condemned Spanish police for ramming and partially sinking a migrant boat in the Mediterranean.

The incident, which was captured on camera, took place near the Spanish enclave town of Melilla, on the border with Morocco on the North African coast.

Border Patrol Speedboat Crushes Migrant Dinghy After Dramatic Chase

TWITTER/YMOULED

The footage showed the Guardia Civil’s more powerful patrol boat manoeuvring at high speed to cut off the smaller migrating inflatable Zodiac, which appeared to be trying to avoid the police boat.

At one point, the Guardia Civil ship collided with the roof of the migrant boat.

Four people on board the boat had to be rescued, but only one migrant was slightly injured.

A Home Office spokesman responded to the recent flow of migrants across the Channel: “We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which undermine border security and put lives at risk.

“The new government is taking steps to improve our border security. We are creating a new Border Security Command, bringing together our intelligence and law enforcement agencies. We are getting new counter-terrorism powers and hundreds of staff in the UK and abroad. Together we will tackle the criminal smuggling gangs that are making millions in profits.”