Hundreds of migrants enter UK after 10-day lull
Nearly 500 migrants arrived in the UK via small boats after a 10-day lull in crossings. Government data indicates that while total crossings are down 45% compared to last year, the average number of people per boat has doubled.
Why it matters
Small boat crossings remain a highly contentious political issue in the UK, impacting immigration policy and border security debates.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, An inflatable small boat pictured in April 2026
Nearly 500 migrants have arrived in the UK in one day, in the first boats to successfully cross the Channel in 10 days.
The seven vessels that made the crossing were the first since 17 August when 250 people arrived.
Dinghies arrived in British waters until late into the night on Thursday, with 494 people being brought into the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent.
The total number is down overall this year, according to Press Association analysis of government data.
Click to expand Tap the questions below How many people cross the English Channel in small boats? Between 1 January and 25 August 2026, a total of 15,897 people crossed the English Channel by small boat from France. This was down by 45% on the same period the previous year.
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