A stark new record was set over the weekend as more than 800 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Saturday, marking the highest single-day total ever recorded for the month of December.
Unprecedented Winter Crossings Defy Trends
According to official Home Office data, 803 individuals made the perilous journey from northern France across 13 dinghies from overnight Friday into Saturday. This is the largest number of arrivals since 8 October, when 1,075 people crossed.
December is typically one of the quietest periods for such crossings, with the combination of cold temperatures, stormy weather, poor visibility, and shorter daylight hours acting as a natural deterrent. The record for the entire month of December now stands at 3,254, set in 2024. So far this month, 2,163 people have arrived.
Annual Total Nears Record High
Saturday's significant influx has pushed the provisional total number of people who have crossed the Channel in small boats this year to 41,455. This figure edges closer to the annual record of 45,755, which was set in 2022.
On the ground in Kent, a Border Force vessel was observed bringing groups of people ashore at Dover on Saturday morning. This followed reports from the previous night of multiple boats departing the French coast.
International Response and Government Stance
The French maritime authorities reported that over the weekend, they rescued 151 people and returned them to French shores. The UK government has reiterated its focus on tackling the "upstream" causes of the migration crisis through cooperation with neighbouring nations.
A Home Office spokesperson stated: "The number of small boat crossings is shameful and the British people deserve better. This government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back."
This comes after recent pressure from Prime Minister Keir Starmer led France to indicate plans to intercept small boats at sea before they can pick up individuals bound for the UK. In a related development, Germany passed a new law this week that could see people smugglers face up to 10 years in prison for attempting to bring individuals into the UK. This law, set to be enacted before year's end, aims to enhance law enforcement powers and improve information sharing between the UK and Germany.
