More than 400 migrants cross Channel on Boxing Day

More than 400 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Boxing Day.

A total of 407 people on 11 boats made the journey to the UK from France on Thursday.

On Christmas Day there were 451 arrivals, according to official government figures.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We all want to end dangerous small-boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security."

Since records began in 2018, 150,220 migrants have crossed the channel in small boats.

This includes more than 35,000 people who have made the journey so far in 2024, which is 20% higher than last year.

Before Christmas Day's crossings, the last time vessels carrying migrants were known to have made the journey was on 14 December, when 160 people in three boats arrived, according to the Home Office.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper previously acknowledged that it would be "no comfort" to the public if numbers continued to remain at high levels.

Sir Keir Starmer said he had made "smashing the gangs" who facilitate the small-boat crossings one of his top priorities.

The Prime Minister has set up a new Border Security Command, and is attempting to work more closely with the UK's European neighbours to pull apart organised crime gangs involved in people smuggling.

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