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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rajeev Syal and Diane Taylor

Channel crossings in 2025 pass 25,000 – faster than any year since records began

Channel Sir Keir Starmer Home Office United Kingdom
A packed dinghy in the sea off the coast of France.
Migrants leave the French coast in packed dinghies to cross the Channel to the UK. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

The number of people arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats has passed 25,000 faster this year than since records began.

As ministers aim to “smash the gangs” involved in people-smuggling, 898 people made the journey in 13 boats on Wednesday, bringing the total for 2025 so far to 25,436.

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