The number of migrants who arrived in Britain in small boats across the English Channel exceeded 30,000 this year, according to preliminary statistics yesterday, Thursday.
The figures come as the new Labor government struggles to limit arrivals, and despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pre-election pledge to “crush” criminal gangs who facilitate illegal immigration.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, about 30,431 migrants arrived in 2024 on the shores of southeastern Britain after crossing the Channel from northern France.
On Wednesday, 564 people arrived on board 12 boats, bringing the total number of arrivals during the month of October so far to about 5,200, which is one of the highest monthly numbers recorded.
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Last year witnessed the arrival of about 30,000 migrants who risked their lives to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, a decrease from the record number of 45,774 migrants in 2022.
Ending cross-Channel migration was a major campaign issue in July.
Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform party, ran an election campaign centered almost entirely on this issue, winning nearly 4 million votes, an unprecedented result for a far-right party.
Within days of taking power, Starmer canceled the Conservative Party’s controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda, and pledged to dismantle people smuggling networks.
Martin Hewitt was appointed head of Britain’s new Border Security Command, which was entrusted with this case.
Dozens of migrants died while trying to reach British coasts in inflatable boats this year.
