Overview
- One small boat carried 128 people on Friday, and three boats brought 225 people to UK shores that day according to Home Office data.
- Home Office figures show about 12,400–12,500 arrivals so far this year, roughly 40–44% lower than the same point last year.
- A Home Office spokesperson said smuggling gangs are cramming more people into unseaworthy dinghies and taking greater risks that endanger lives.
- In April the Home Secretary signed a three-year, £662 million agreement with France to fund beach patrols and joint operations have led to recent seizures of boats and engines.
- Authorities report smugglers are shifting launch points further south in France and to parts of the Belgian coast, which raises short-term dangers for migrants and may change how crossings are policed.