Almost 700 migrants cross Channel in record day despite Rwanda threat

Total of 696 migrants intercepted on Monday trying to cross the 21-mile Dover straits in 14 boats, the highest number so far this year

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A new daily high of nearly 700 Channel migrants have reached the UK in defiance of the threat of being deported to Rwanda.

Border Force officials said they were yet to see the Rwanda policy deterring migrants as a total of 696 were intercepted on Monday trying to cross the 21-mile Dover straits in 14 boats, the highest number so far this year.

People smugglers are also increasing the numbers per boat to around 50 as they seek to cash in on the trade in migrants before any change in policy starts to bite, according to Border Force sources.

Monday’s arrivals surpassed the previous high for the year of 651 in a day in April and brings the total for the year to 17,008, a figure which was not reached until September in 2021.

Lucy Moreton, a professional officer of the ISU union representing Border Force officers, said there was some evidence that people smugglers were using the Rwanda policy as a marketing tool to tell migrants to “get over now before it is introduced.”

The first 250 migrants were brought to shore on Monday on Border Force cutters Hurricane and Ranger around midday
The first 250 migrants were brought to shore on Monday on Border Force cutters Hurricane and Ranger around midday Credit: PA

The policy has been stalled until a High Court hearing next month determines whether it is legal. Charities and the PCS union, which also represents Border Force staff, are bringing a challenge, claiming it is unlawful

“There’s no indication that the policy is acting as any form of deterrent at this point because we have not done it and there’s no significant expectation that we would do it,” said Ms Moreton.

She said there was also evidence more migrants crossing with no intention of claiming asylum and who were “just exploiting the system.”

About 10,000 had crossed at this point last year, compared with the 17,000 so far this year. Internal Home Office modelling suggested it could double this year to more than 60,000, leading some to speculate the Government’s asylum crackdown may be having an impact.

National Crime Agency (NCA) chiefs said France had “stepped up” efforts to halt small boats, culminating in last month’s five-nation police raids that smashed a gang responsible for up to a quarter of the 40,000 migrants to have reached the UK since January last year.

The NCA said France was now stopping around 50 per cent of attempted crossings and believed that if the figure increased to 75 per cent they could “break the smugglers’ business model” by making it uneconomical.

Tony Smith, the former director general of the Border Force, said: “We haven’t got a deterrent but the numbers have not mushroomed in the way I was really worried that they would.”

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, is expected this month to announce a new agreement to pay France more than £50 million to combat the Channel crossings, effectively renewing last year’s deal, as revealed by The Telegraph last month.

The migrants were loaded onto coaches and taken for processing by UK officials
The migrants were loaded onto coaches and taken for processing by UK officials Credit: PA

The record day for migrant arrivals so far was on November 11, 2021 when 1,185 people made the treacherous journey in 33 boats. November 2021 was also the busiest month for Channel crossings - with 6,869 people reaching British soil in dinghies or other small craft.

A total of 28,526 people made the treacherous journey across the Channel that year - compared to 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

A government spokesperson said: “The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable. Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws, but they risk lives and hinder our ability to help refugees who come to the UK through safe and legal routes.

“The Nationality and Borders Act will enable us to crack down on abuse of the system and the evil people smugglers, who will now be subject to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

“Under our new Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda, we are continuing preparations to relocate those who are making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys into the UK in order for their claims to be considered and rebuild their lives.”

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