Around 80 migrants arrived in the UK this morning, sparking concerns that favorable weather conditions might lead to a significant increase in Channel crossings today. The migrants, who sailed from France overnight, were picked up by the Border Force cutter ‘Defender’ and brought to the Port of Dover in Kent.
As Britain braces for its hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to reach 32°C in London, there are fears that human trafficking gangs will escalate their operations. This concern follows the Labour government’s decision to cancel both the Tory’s Rwanda deportation plan and the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge scheme.
The number of migrants crossing the Channel has already reached a record high this year, with 255 people making the journey on Sunday. This brings the total for the year so far to 16,457, according to the Home Office. Today’s arrivals are expected to push the total beyond 16,500, surpassing the previous record for the end of July of 16,420 in 2022 and last year’s total of 14,732.
The Home Office has not yet released the figures for the number of crossings on Monday, which will likely increase the total even further. Migrants embarking on this perilous journey have been seen mocking Britain, with some shouting, “This is for Rishi Sunak,” as they set off from France.
French police have been observed standing by as groups of migrants launch from the northern coast of France. This has highlighted the challenge facing Sir Keir Starmer’s new Labour Government, particularly in light of their decision to scrap the Conservative policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
On Sunday, a “taxi boat” was seen leaving the harbour at Gravelines, near Dunkirk, with one occupant shouting, “This is for Rishi Sunak.” As the dinghy reached the sea, it turned back towards the beach, demonstrating the ease with which these crossings are being attempted.
A large group of migrants, including women and children, were seen wading into the sea to board a boat, while French police watched without intervening. Funded with £100 million a year from UK taxpayers, French officers are instructed not to interfere with dinghies already afloat to avoid being held responsible for potential drownings. Over the weekend, police focused on preventing children and family groups from reaching the water.
Volunteers from the refugee charity Utopia 56 were also present, offering assistance and monitoring police actions. Volunteer Pablo Eymard-Picollec noted that police advised some families to stay on the beach due to the overcrowded boats.
Early on Sunday, one migrant died, and another 34 were rescued by French coastguards after a heavily loaded boat encountered difficulties. In the Commons, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson suggested stopping payments to the French until they cease being complicit in human trafficking.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the crossings as “extremely dangerous,” citing the latest death and emphasizing the need for a new Border Security Command. This command will work with French police and other European forces to combat the smuggling gangs and prevent boats from reaching the French coast.
A Home Office spokesman stated, “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 aims to boost border security with a new Border Security Command, bringing together intelligence and enforcement agencies to dismantle the criminal gangs profiting from these crossings.