According to the latest figures from the Home Office, there was almost a sixfold increase of migrants crossing the Channel in October last year compared with October 2013.
Only 475 people crossed the border in October 2020, as opposed to 2,669 who made it despite the poor weather conditions.
The huge increase means that 19741 migrants have crossed so far this year. This is double the 8,420 migrants who crossed in 2020.
According to the latest figures from the Home Office, there was a sixfold increase of migrants crossing the Channel in October last year compared with October 2013.
Only 475 people crossed the border in October 2020, as opposed to 2,669 who made the journey despite the poor weather conditions.
This huge increase means that 19741 migrants have crossed so far this year. This is double the 8,420 migrants who arrived in 2020.
According to the Home Office, 15,000 crossings were intercepted by French authorities with an interception rate 43 percent.
September saw the highest number of migrants crossing the border with 3,879 in September.
According to the Times, the annual total could rise to 22,000, which is triple the number reported last year.
Near Calais, there are around 2,000 migrants who are looking for people smugglers.
Many are living in ‘desperate’ conditions as the cold winter months approach and are risking their lives daily trying to board dinghies and lorries.
The UK’s clandestine Channel threat commander, Dan O’Mahoney, said: ‘These dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossings are facilitated by violent criminal gangs profiting from misery, and more people will die as long as they continue.
“We are working together with the French to stop boats abandoning their beaches and crackdown against the criminals driving these crossings.
“Our broken asylum system acts like a magnet for illegal immigrants.” The government’s new plan for immigration will fix the system, making it firm on those who abuse it and fair on those in genuine need.’
It comes after dozens arrived in Kent in mid October after crossing the Channel by dinghies.
Three dinghies arrived in Britain, with two being escorted to Dungeness by the RNLI and border patrol. The third was returned to Dover.
The group of 60 migrants arrived at the beach and were immediately taken into custody by the police.
September saw the highest number of migrants crossing the border with 3,879 in September
Priti Patel wishes to grant immunity to Border Force officers if migrants are killed during her new operation to “turn back” small boats crossing the Channel.
The Home Secretary had previously approved the plan that would see migrants boats being intercepted and then turned back to France by officers flying on jet skis.
Under international maritime law, sailors are required to rescue “a person in distress at sea” and could be sentenced to up to two years imprisonment.
But the government is trying to pass the Nationality and Borders Bill through Parliament, which would give Border Force officials immunity from prosecution during the ‘turnback’ operations.
Opposition MPs and charities have criticized the plans, while France has called the tactics ‘illegal.
Border Force has the ability to intercept migrants boats trying to cross the Channel, once they reach UK waters.