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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

Channel crossings: 45,756 people came to UK in small boats in 2022

A small boat used to cross the Channel is removed from the water and documented at the port of Dover in Kent
A small boat used to cross the Channel is removed from the water and documented at the port of Dover in Kent. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

More than 45,000 people crossed the Channel to the UK in small boats over the past year, according to government figures, with 90 crossing on Christmas Day.

Two boats from France on 25 December were the last recorded in 2022, according to the Ministry of Defence, bringing the total number of people who crossed to 45,756. Rain and high winds on the south coast may have prevented crossings.

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