UK Records Busiest December Day for Migrant Channel Crossings

Over 600 migrants crossed the Channel in a single day, marking a new December record and pushing the year's total to over 34,500.

Home Office data shows 609 migrants crossed the Channel on Thursday, the highest December daily total since records began in 2018.
The total number of Channel crossings for 2024 has reached 34,582, a 19% increase compared to this time last year but 23% lower than 2022's record high.
Thursday's crossings followed an eight-day pause due to poor weather conditions, with calmer seas and temperatures around 9°C enabling the journeys.
The UK government emphasized reducing crossings as a priority and highlighted international efforts, including a new agreement with Germany to strengthen laws against people smuggling.
The Calais Group, comprising the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, met in London this week to coordinate plans for tackling smuggling operations in 2025.