More than 800 people made the journey on Saturday, bringing the total for the year so far to almost 21,000
More than 800 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Saturday, the highest number on a single day so far this year.
The latest provisional government data put the figure at 872 people in 15 vessels, suggesting an average of about 58 people in each one.The previous high for a single day this year was on 10 August when 756 people made the crossing. The total for the year so far is still lower than at this time last year, when 25,000 people had made the journey.Saturday’s arrivals mean 1,172 people have made the journey so far this week. Crossings were only recorded on two of six days, with 300 people arriving on Tuesday.Total arrivals in 2022 were 45,774, compared with the previously documented 45,755, according to the latest available Home Office data.
“Our priority is to stop the boats, and our Small Boats Operational Command is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.Act, which will mean that people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.”