More than 15,000 migrants cross Channel in 2025

More than 15,000 people have crossed the English Channel on small boats so far in 2025.

It comes as 400 people in six boats reached Dover in Kent on Wednesday, taking the yearly total to 15,212 - an increase of 35% compared with the same point in 2024.

On 31 May, 1,195 people crossed the channel in 19 small boats - the highest daily number recorded in 2025.

The Home Office said it had put together a "serious plan" to take down people-smuggling gangs at every stage.

The Home Office added: "We are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders."

At the start of the month, the yearly number of arrivals was up 42% on the same period in 2024, and up 95% on the same point in 2023.

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