More than 600 migrants cross Channel in one day

More than 600 people crossed the Channel on small boats on Saturday, making it the second busiest day for crossings so far this year.

Home Office figures show 602 migrants arrived in Dover on nine boats, bringing the total number of arrivals so far in 2026 to more than 6,000.

The largest single day total was previously on 25 February, when 605 migrant arrivals were recorded.

In a statement, the Home Office said it was "bearing down" on small boat crossings.

In 2023, the UK signed a three-year £476m agreement with France for extra patrols to disrupt smuggling gangs.

The deal expired on 31 March but a two-month extension has been signed, costing the UK £16.2m while the two sides continue to negotiate a new contract.

Under the current deal, nearly 700 law enforcement officers are on the ground patrolling beaches, using drones and buggies to stop people getting on boats.

Over the past three years, crossings have increased, with 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat in 2025.

Earlier this month, two migrants died while attempting to cross the Channel, and six were rescued.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We have stopped over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross the Channel since the election.

"We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally.

"But we are going further to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to this country and increase removals and deportations of those with no right to be here."

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