A yacht has been seized by Border Force officers after it was linked to small boat crossings across the English Channel on Saturday. The boat was seen being towed into Dover by a patrol vessel before being secured in the harbour. Daily data published by the Home Office shows that 413 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Friday alone. The exact number of migrants on board the yacht on Saturday has not been confirmed.
The use of a yacht for Channel crossings is unusual, with dinghies more commonly used. However, some 1,157 people have been rescued from the Channel since last Monday after making the dangerous journey in small boats, with two people losing their lives. The number of crossings has increased since the onset of good weather, with a total of 15,489 people having crossed the Channel so far this year. This is approximately 10% higher than for the same period in 2020.
A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed that they could not comment on individual crossings but acknowledged that the government is taking steps to boost border security. This includes the launch of a Border Security Command. Earlier this month, four people died in the Channel after attempting to cross in small boats. On Friday, the Home Office announced that a British Border Force vessel had returned migrants to France for the first time after assisting with a French search and rescue operation.
To ensure that the public remains informed about the ongoing situation, daily data on Channel crossings and other border issues is being published by the Home Office. This transparency will help to provide a clearer picture of the situation and inform decision-making by the government
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