More than 800 people cross Channel in dinghies, breaking record for December

More than 800 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Saturday, a record for a day in December, according to the Home Office.

December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, as a combination of low temperatures and stormy weather makes the journey particularly difficult. Poor visibility and less daylight have also been cited as factors influencing the crossings.

The most arrivals recorded in December was 3,254 in 2024; 2,163 people have arrived so far this month.

The arrivals on Saturday bring the total number of people who have crossed the Channel this year to 41,455. The record annual total was 45,755 in 2022.

The data showed 803 people across 13 dinghies from northern France had made the journey from overnight on Friday into Saturday, the largest number since 8 October when 1,075 crossed in a day.

A Border Force vessel was seen on Saturday morning bringing people into Dover, Kent. The previous night, a number of boats were witnessed leaving the shores of France.

The French maritime prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea said 151 people had been rescued by authorities over the weekend and taken back to French shores.

The UK government has said it is continuing efforts to grasp the “upstream” causes of the migration crisis, including through work with neighbouring countries.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The number of small boat crossings is shameful and the British people deserve better. This government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.”

France recently indicated it planned to halt small boats at sea before they pick people up heading for the UK, after pressure from Keir Starmer.

Germany passed a law this week that could see people smugglers face up to 10 years in prison for trying to bring individuals to the UK. The law, which will come into force before the end of the year, aims to give more powers to law enforcement and prosecutors, and to boost information sharing between the UK and Germany.