Almost 1,000 migrants cross Channel over bank holiday

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Almost 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel over the bank holiday weekend, latest Home Office figures show.

A total of 989 people arrived in the UK in 14 boats between Friday and Monday, after almost a fortnight without any crossings.

It means more than one in 10 people entering the country from mainland Europe so far this year arrived during the bank holiday weekend.

The Home Office said that it was “bearing down” on small boat crossings.

A landmark deal has been signed with France to boost “enforcement action on beaches and put people smugglers behind bars”, it added.

The Home Office said that it had stopped more than 42,000 migrants trying to cross the Channel since the 2024 election.

“We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally and are going further to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to this country,” it added.

Crossings are more common during warmer weather periods, with the highest average monthly totals typically in August and September.

The Channel is one of the most dangerous and busiest shipping lanes in the world.

The number of people taking the route each year peaked in 2022, when more than 45,000 people made the journey.

A total of 8,565 people have crossed the Channel so far in 2026, which is 37% lower than at the same point last year.

In April, the UK and France confirmed the new £662m deal to stop migrants from crossing the Channel.

It will involve France deploying millions of pounds worth of drones, two helicopters and a camera system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants.

Riot-trained police will also be sent to French beaches as part of the deal.

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