More than 20,000 migrants arrive in UK crossing Channel this year, figures show

More than 20,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, latest figures show.

Some 614 people made the journey in 10 boats on Wednesday, taking the provisional total for 2024 to 20,433.

This is 3% higher than at the same point in 2023 (19,801) and 18% lower than 2022 (25,065), according to PA analysis of Government data.

It is the second highest number of arrivals on a single day since the General Election, after 703 arrivals on August 11.

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The highest number on any day so far this year was 882, on June 18.

The Home Office figures come as crossings continued on Thursday morning.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk.

“The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies, equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit.”