The Home Office has reported the busiest December day for migrant Channel crossings on record, with over 600 people making the hazardous journey to Britain on Thursday.
This brings the total number of individuals arriving in the UK via this route to more than 34,500 so far this year.
Daily record and overall figures
On Thursday, 609 people crossed the Channel in nine boats, marking the highest number recorded in a single day in December since the Government began tracking this data in 2018. It also represents the largest daily total since October 18, when 647 migrants arrived. The crossings resumed after an eight-day hiatus, spurred by improved weather conditions.
To date, the provisional total for 2024 stands at 34,582 migrants. This figure represents a 19% increase compared to the same period last year (29,090) but a 23% decrease from 2022, which saw a record 44,821 arrivals.
Challenging conditions
Migrants faced freezing winter temperatures, with some groups seen wearing life jackets as they were brought ashore by Border Force vessels in Dover. On average, about 68 people traveled per boat during the latest crossings.
Young men were among those observed being transported away from the Kent port town in coaches on Friday, as crossings continued.
International cooperation
Germany has pledged to strengthen its legal framework to facilitate the prosecution of human traffickers who charge tens of thousands of pounds to smuggle people across the Channel. This commitment is part of a new agreement between the UK and Germany to combat immigration-related crime. The proposed changes are expected to enhance German prosecutors’ ability to target the supply and storage of dangerous boats used by smuggling networks.
The most recent "Calais Group" meeting, held in London on Tuesday, brought together ministers and law enforcement officials from the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The group agreed on a coordinated plan to address people smuggling gangs in 2025.
UK policy updates
The UK Government has also announced a suspension of asylum application decisions for Syrian nationals, citing the collapse of the Assad regime. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper informed MPs that the policy remains under “constant review” as the UK monitors the evolving situation.
The developments underscore the complexity of managing migration, addressing humanitarian needs, and tackling criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals. Photo by Steve Cadman, Wikimedia commons.