Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Data released by the Home Office shows that over 800 migrants crossed the English Channel in 13 boats on Saturday, marking a record for December in recent years. This surge is attributed to a backlog of people seeking passage to Kent, caused by several days of adverse weather conditions preceding the crossing. The number of migrants arriving this year has now reached 41,455, exceeding the total count for 2024, which stood at 36,816 for the entire year.
The group of 803 migrants was brought ashore at Dover with the assistance of Border Force and RNLI vessels. Although the pace of crossings in 2025 has accelerated compared to previous years, the total annual figure has not yet surpassed 2022’s total of 45,755 arrivals. In response to the increasing numbers, a Home Office spokesperson condemned the crossings as “shameful” and declared that “the British people deserve better.” The government highlighted that nearly 50,000 individuals residing illegally have been removed and emphasized a bilateral agreement with France, under which those arriving by small boats are now being returned.
In parallel, French maritime authorities intervened over the weekend to assist several small boats attempting to cross the Channel. According to the Maritime Prefecture of the English Channel and the North Sea, 151 people were rescued and repatriated to France. Migrant-focused charities in Calais report that the makeshift camps there have seen an unusually high population for this season. This build-up of migrants followed a 28-day period during which rough, windy weather made crossings impossible. Saturday’s calm sea conditions created an opportunity that smugglers quickly exploited by overcrowding dinghies with large groups of people.
Aside from ongoing rescue and return operations, the UK government is pursuing measures targeting the root causes of irregular migration through international cooperation. Germany recently introduced a law imposing prison sentences of up to 10 years on people smugglers involved in bringing migrants to the UK. This legislation, set to come into effect before the year ends, is designed to strengthen law enforcement capabilities and enhance information sharing between the UK and Germany. The move follows a December agreement between the two nations addressing illegal migration and targeting the online advertising used by smugglers. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper commented on the development, saying, “This major change in German law is the result of our close partnership working to tackle illegal migration and organised immigration crime,” and pledged to intensify international cooperation to reinforce border security
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.