Home Office records ZERO migrant crossings on Saturday and 89 people entering UK waters on Sunday in one of the lowest recent weekend totals – after rate reached 200-a-day last week

  • Home Office recorded zero migrant crossings on Saturday and 89 on Sunday 
  • Figures mark one of the lowest recent weekend totals after 568 people made the dangerous crossing last weekend 
  •  Nearly 600 migrants were intercepted attempting to cross Channel in 3 days last week 

The Home Office has recorded zero migrant crossings on Saturday and 89 people entering UK waters on Sunday.

The figures mark one of the lowest recent weekend totals after 568 people made the dangerous crossing last weekend. 

The Home Office confirmed UK authorities dealt with four events on Sunday involving 89 people. 

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel on June 6

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel on June 6

In a statement, a spokesperson said: 'Criminal gangs are putting profits before people's lives through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings.

'More than 4,000 people have been prevented from making the dangerous crossing so far this year and we are cracking down on the despicable criminal gangs behind people smuggling.

'Inaction is not an option whilst people are dying. The Government is bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of these heinous people smuggling networks and save lives.'

It comes as the Home Office is investigating an incident in which migrants attempting to cross the English Channel were reportedly picked up in French waters by the UK Border Force and taken to Dover.

The move was orchestrated between senior crew members of HMC Valiant and French patrol ship Athos last Saturday.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel earlier on Sunday morning

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel earlier on Sunday morning 

Home Secretary Priti Patel has repeatedly vowed to make the dangerous route across the English Channel 'unviable', but crossings have surged.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'We are urgently investigating the circumstances behind this incident.'

It comes as nearly 600 migrants were intercepted attempting to cross the Channel in three days last week.

The Home Office confirmed that the French authorities dealt with eight incidents involving 130 people on Friday, with the UK dealing with four boats involving 83 people.

This follows 201 people being stopped by Border Force officers in eight incidents on Thursday.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'We are urgently investigating the circumstances behind this incident'

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'We are urgently investigating the circumstances behind this incident'

And the French authorities intercepted nine crossings on Wednesday and Thursday preventing 171 people from reaching the UK.

This makes a total of 585 attempting to make the crossing in just three days.

The number of people crossing the 21-mile stretch of water has almost doubled so far in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with more than 3,100 having reached the English coast by the end of May.

Anti-immigration demonstrations were held in Dover last weekend with protesters blocking access to key trade terminals.