Migration Watch UK Blog | BOAT TRACKING STATION - Illegal maritime arrivals from safe countries

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What you need to know:

So far 3,680 people have crossed illegally into Britain in 86 boats in 2023.
At least 45,755 people crossed illegally in around 1,106 boats in 2022.
A population the size of a city – at least 88,569 people – have been disclosed as coming uninvited by boat since 1 January 2018.
UK taxpayers fork out about over £5.6 million per day housing asylum claimants and refugees, including in four-star resorts (read more here).

Large numbers have already been rejected for asylum in Europe and 98% have no passport – often due to deliberate destruction of documentation (see paper). So the UK is, more and more, a magnet for failed asylum claimants who cannot be vetted for security purposes and who are often obstructing efforts of the authorities to identify them. As we saw with the Parson’s Green tube bombing and other crimes, this means a public safety nightmare. Here are 3 key facts to remember. We are the only think tank that is holding the government to account on this (to make a donation, click here).

Figure 1: Reported illegal arrivals by Channel crossing in small boats.

Figure 2 below shows that Monday 23 August 2022 saw the highest ever daily number of illegal arrivals via this route – 1,295 in 27 boats. Previously, November 2021 held the record for highest recorded crossings and still maintains multiple days in the top 10 days for crossings as displayed below. 11 November 2021 for example saw 1,185 arrivals in 33 boats, 1,131 people illegally entered on Tuesday 16 November and 866 people entering on Saturday 20th November. As Figure 3 below though shows, August 2022 is now the worst month ever recorded, with nearly 9,000 people having crossed in illegal maritime journeys.

Figure 2: The 10 worst daily totals. One of the worst daily total occurred in August 2022 when 1,295 people arrived on one day.

98% of those entering the UK via this unauthorised route claim asylum here. They tend to be served papers for their entry, then may be held for a few days in detention (and given a mobile phone) and are then bailed into tax-payer funded accommodation into the community while their asylum claim is considered.

This despite people not being able to be identified or vetted properly for security reasons due to having usually deliberately destroyed their documentation. Despite laws in place to penalise this, the government increasingly refuses to use them (see our blog).

Asylum rules provide the grounds for treating an asylum claim as inadmissible to the UK asylum system, if a person has earlier presence in, or connection to, a safe third country. It also provides for the person to be removed to that or another safe third country, with that country’s permission.

However, of the 15 enforced returns of individuals considered for removal on inadmissibility grounds between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022 (during a period when there were around 40,000 arrivals by boat and lorry), not one was to France.

Between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022:

13,473 asylum claimants were identified for consideration on inadmissibility grounds
12,277 individuals were told removal was being considered in their case.
75 individuals were found to be inadmissible because another country was judged to be responsible for the claim, owing to the claimant’s previous presence in, or connection to a safe country
There were 15 enforced returns of individuals considered for removal on inadmissibility grounds
6,573 individuals were subsequently admitted into the UK asylum process for substantive consideration of their asylum claim

The 15 returns were made to Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

For further information, including breakdowns of the data by quarter and nationality, see Asy_09a and Asy_09b of the summary tables. See Home Office summary.

Overall, asylum-related removals (ie of those whose claims were rejected or whose application was deemed fit to be processed in another country) plummeted from 18,000 in 2005 to just over 1,100 in the year to June 2021 (see our report). These figures includes all asylum claimants, not just those who entered the UK after traveling here in boats.

Please also help us to hold the government to account by checking each reported incident below in Annex A. Our Tracking Station is unique in enabling you to do so. If you identify a discrepancy in the figures below please contact: admin@migrationwatchuk.org

Border Force crews have said they were being used as a ‘taxi service’ by illegal immigrants (see our summary and the independent report itself). Yet the government allows it to continue, and encourages it by undermining enforcement.

REPORTED FIGURES SINCE THE START OF 2018

As the release of official figures on this has been sporadic at best, the following estimates are based on both specific information released by the Home Office, and other bodies, and on individual media reports:

2018

299 people successfully crossed the Channel (see Home Office figures, September 2020).

2019

1,843 people successfully crossed the Channel (see Home Office figures, September 2020).|

2020

8,466 people were reported as having illegally crossed, while there were 15,600 recorded attempted crossings during 2020. For a breakdown of arrivals from the beginning of 2018 until the middle of 2020, see Home Office figures released in September 2020. In 2020, those from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria and Eritrea were among the most common stated nationalities of those arriving (Home Office summary).

2021

At least 28,526 people were reported illegally arriving (see Home Office illegal immigration statistics).

2022

At least 45,756 people reported crossing without prior permission in around 1,105 boats.

2023

At least 3,680 people reported crossing without prior permission so far.

Total reported: = 88,569

What is the government doing about the crisis?

The Home Secretary said in October 2019 that these crossings would be an ‘infrequent phenomenon’ by Spring the following year. Yet crossings skyrocketed during 2020. By last autumn the government had suggested it had put an ‘operational plan’ with France and a Minister noted in Parliament: “This Government will not rest until we have taken the necessary steps to completely end these crossings.”

However, the number of people crossing continues to rise even after nearly £200 million of taxpayers’ money was paid to France since September 2014 to tackle illegal immigration (see media report). This is hardly value for money.

What happens to those who arrive?

The government is also spending around £400 million of taxpayers’ money each year on ‘free’ accommodation for more than 60,000 asylum seekers and failed claimants over the next decade (total of £4 billion in the ten years from mid-2019 – see National Audit Office summary). The number of people housed has tripled since 2012 when it was around 20,000.

The number of people in such accommodation has increased recently from just below 50,000, in part as a result of measures put in place in the midst of the Covid pandemic but also due to the increase in illegal Channel crossings.

18,000 people are in hotels in what is known as ‘contingency’ or ‘initial accommodation’ set aside for people just after they claim asylum but are awaiting an allocation of more long-term housing (for more read this piece).

This despite the fact that, as Home Office sources admitted recently, housing thousands of migrants in hotels creates a “pull factor”.

The incentives are skewed so that they encourage, rather than discourage, illegal trips that often lead to asylum abuse (also see this Home Office page telling people what they will get if they claim asylum).

Payments and the offer of free housing for those eligible while an asylum claim is being processed (and for thousands of failed claimants) may serve to encourage people to attempt the dangerous and needless journey.

98% of those arriving claim asylum once landed, says the Home Office, even though they are traveling from a safe country from which protection is not required. However, 81% have been found by the authorities not to have a credible claim here in the UK. The asylum route should be reserved only for the truly needy.

What should happen to stop these crossings?

In a scandalous incident in early June 2021, there were reports that a Border Force ship actually entered French waters and took on board migrants from a UK-bound dinghy. Lucy Moreton, from the Immigration Services Union, was reported as saying it was a common tactic for migrants to threaten to throw someone overboard if a French vessel came too close, because migrants knew if they were picked up by a UK ship they were “as good as here”.

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders has confirmed that migrants dangle children overseas and threaten to drop them into the sea unless their illegal entry into the UK is allowed.

As one MP, a member of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, has said: “The occupants of those boats are committing two crimes. One is trying to enter the UK illegally and the second is paying money to organised crime”.

The criminal behaviour of those on board suggests that the UK needs to take tough actions in order to prevent entry. To do anything else just encourages illegal immigration and dangerous and sickening people-smuggling.

Instead of the boats being stopped and turned back to French waters, as they can and should be (e.g. under Article 25 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) many people are brought to the UK by the Border Force (or Coastguard) after being encountered the Channel. French vessels have even been seen shepherding unsafe boats into UK waters and abandoning them.

To read about what the UK public think about illegal Channel crossings, see this short article.
Why aren’t more illegal Channel immigrants and failed asylum seekers removed from the country? For analysis of this topic, see separate piece.
Also see our longer briefing paper on illegal channel crossings (8 May 2020), which was covered in The Times, the Daily Telegraph and Mail Online.

Annex A

2023 = 3,767 illegal immigrants have been reported arriving in 88 boats.

March 2023 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 817 in 20 boats.

26 March: 87 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
20-25 March: No reported arrivals.
19 March: 118 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
18 March: 155 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
17 March: 209 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
12-16 March: No reported crossings.
11 March: 51 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
7-10 March: No reported crossings.
6 March: 197 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
1-5 March: No reported crossings.

February 2023 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 1,770 in 41 boats.

25-28 February: No reported crossings.
24 February: 41 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
23 February: No reported crossings.
22 February: 192 people reported arriving in 6 boats.
21 February: 131 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
16-20 February: No reported crossings.
15 February: 69 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
14 February: 204 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
13 February: 105 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
12 February: 86 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
11 February: 52 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
10 February: 110 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
9 February: 125 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
8 February: 189 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
7 February: 204 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
6 February: No reported crossings.
5 February: 44 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
4 February: 218 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
01-03 February: No reported crossings

January 2023 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month : 1,180 in 27 boats.

30-31 January: No reported crossings.
29 January: 189 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
28 January: 26 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
26-27 January: No reported crossings.
25 January: 373 people reported arriving in 8 boats.
23-24 January: No reported crossings.
22 January: 442 people reported arriving in 10 boats.
18-21 January: No reported crossings.
17 January: 106 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
3-16 January: No reported crossings.
2 January: 44 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
1 January: No reported crossings.

2022 = 45,755 illegal immigrants were reported crossing in 1,106 boats.

December 2022 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month : 1,744 in 38 boats.

26-31 December: No reported crossings.
25 December: 90 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
22-24 December: No reported crossings.
21st December: 93 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
18-20 December: No reported crossings.
17 December: 349 people reported arriving in 7 boats.
15-16 December: No reported crossings.
14 December: 402 people reported arriving in 8 boats.
12-13 December: No reported crossings.
11 December: 242 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
10 December: 315 people reported arriving in 9 boats.
9 December: 90 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
2-8 December: No reported crossings.
1 December: 163 people reported arriving in 14 boats.

Source: Ministry of Defence monthly small boat arrivals data.

November 2022 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 4,082 in 92 boats.

30 November: 422 people reported arriving in 8 boats.
29 November: 893 people reported arriving in 17 boats.
28 November: 426 people reported arriving in 10 boats.
26-27 November: No reported crossings.
25 November: 36 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
15-24 November: No crossings have been reported, this is a result of poor weather conditions likely to continue for the remainder of the month.
14 November: 405 people reported arriving in 8 boats.
13 November: 853 people reported arriving in 26 boats.
12 November: 1047 people reported arriving in 22 boats.
November 1-11: No reported crossings.

Source: Ministry of Defence monthly small boat arrivals data.

October 2022 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 6,900 in 152 boats.

31 October: 46 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
30 October: 459 people reported arriving in 8 boats.
29 October: 989 people reported arriving in 24 boats.
28 October: No reported crossings.
27 October: 306 people reported arriving in 7 boats.
23-26 October: No reported crossings.
22 October: 526 people reported arriving in 10 boats.
19-21 October: No reported crossings.
18 October: 504 people reported arriving in 12 boats.
16-17 October: No reported crossings.
15 October: 114 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
14 October: 494 people reported arriving in 11 boats.
13 October: No reported crossings.
12 October: 859 people reported arriving in 19 boats.
11 October: 374 people reported arriving in 7 boats.
10 October: 536 people reported arriving in 13 boats.
9 October: 1,065 people reported arriving in 25 boats.
8 October: 46 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
5-7 October: No reported crossings.
4 October: 41 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
3 October: 541 people reported arriving in 10 boats.
1-2 October: No reported crossings.

Source: Ministry of Defence monthly small boat arrivals data.

September 2022 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 7,961 in 176 boats.

30 September: 194 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
29 September: 499 people reported arriving in 10 boats.
24-28 September: No reported crossings.
23 September: 650 people reported arriving in 14 boats.
22 September: 1,142 people reported arriving in 21 boats.
21 September: 666 people reported arriving in 15 boats.
20 September: 95 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
16-19 September: No reported crossings.
15 September: 617 people reported arriving in 14 boats.
14 September: No reported crossings.
13 September: 538 people reported arriving in 11 boats.
12 September: 650 people reported arriving in 19 boats.
11 September: 245 people reported arriving in 7 boats.
7-10 September: No reported crossings.
6 September: 136 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
5 September: 188 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
4 September: 1160 people reported arriving in 25 boats.
3 September: 960 people reported arriving in 20 boats.
2 September: 221 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
1 September: No reported crossings.

Source: Ministry of Defence monthly small boat arrivals data.

August 2022 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 8,641 in 192 boats.

28-31 August: No reported crossings.
27 August: 915 people reported arriving in 19 boats.
26 August: No reported crossings.
25 August: 801 people reported arriving in 16 boats.
24 August: 532 people reported arriving in 11 boats.
23 August: 187 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
22 August: 1,295 people reported arriving in 27 boats.
19-21 August: No reported crossings.
18 August: 214 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
17 August: 644 people reported arriving in 12 boats.
16 August: 180 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
15 August: 78 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
14 August: 283 people reported arriving in 6 boats.
13 August: 605 people reported arriving in 14 boats.
12 August: 402 people reported arriving in 8 boats.
11 August: 261 people reported arriving in 7 boats.
9 August: 38 people reported arriving in 1 boat.
8 August: 385 people reported arriving in 8 boats.
7 August: 133 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
6 August: 337 people reported arriving in 10 boats.
5 August: 288 illegal migrants reported arriving in 5 boats.
4 August: 388 illegal migrants in 8 boats were brought to Dover yesterday with the assistance of Border Force, MOD and RNLI.
2 August: 39 illegal migrants reported arriving in 1 boat.
1 August: 696 migrants were detected in 14 boats yesterday and brought to Kent – that’s the highest figure for a single day so far this year.

Sources: Ministry of Defence weekly small boat migration data

July 2022 – Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 3,683 in 90 boats

31 July: No reported crossings.
30 July: 460 people reported arriving in 12 boats.
29 July: 247 people reported arriving in 7 boats.
28 July: No reported crossings.
27 July: 202 people reported arriving in 5 boats.
26 July: No reported crossings.
25 July: 136 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
24 July: 35 migrants in a single boat were escorted to Kent by the authorities.
23 July: 37 migrants in one boat were picked up by Border Force.
19 July: 208 people arrived on six boats.
18 July: 330 migrants in seven boats crossed the Channel.
17 July: 154 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
16 July: 68 people reported arriving in 2 boats.
15 July: 173 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
14 July: 173 people reported arriving in 4 boats.
13 July: 149 people reported arriving in 3 boats.
12 July: 259 people reported arriving in 6 boats.
11 July: 445 people reported arriving uninvited to the UK in 10 boats.
10 July: 37 people reported crossing to the UK without prior permission in 1 boat.
9 July: 146 people reported arriving illegally in 3 boats.
8 July: 23 people cross in 1 boat.
7 July: The Ministry of Defence does not report any crossings on this date.
6 July: 248 people reported crossing and entering the UK in 5 boats.
5 July: The Ministry of Defence does not report any crossings on this date.
4 July: 153 people reported crossing and entering the UK in 5 boats.
1-3 July: No reported crossings.

Sources: Ministry of Defence weekly small boat migration data

June 2022: Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 3,139 in at 76 boats.

30 June: 94 people arrive in 2 boats.
29 June: 269 people crossed the English Channel on 6 boats uninvited.
28 June: 25 migrants cross the Channel without permission in 1 boat.
27 June: 153 migrants cross the English Channel illegally in 4 boats.
25/26 June: The Ministry of Defence does not report any crossings on these dates.
24 June: 231 migrants come without permission in 5 boats.
23 June: 138 illegal immigrants came to the UK in 3 boats.
22 June: 98 people arrived without permission in boats in 3 boats.
21 June: 49 people come to the UK in 1 boat.
19/20 June: No reports yet of migrants arriving in boats.
18 June: 321 illegal immigrants reach the UK in 7 boats.
17 June: 230 illegal immigrants reached the UK in 5 boats.
16 June: 146 migrants reached the UK in 4 boats.
15 June: 233 illegal migrants cross to the UK in 6 boats.
14 June: 447 illegal migrants came to the UK in 11 boats.
13 June: 138 illegal migrants came to the UK in 3 boats.
12 June: 111 people crossed the Channel in 3 boats.
8-11 June: No reported crossings.
7 June: 79 people reported being brought ashore.
4-6 June: No reports of arrivals.
3 June: 40 migrants reported arriving in 1 boat.
2 June: 139 migrants reported arriving in 5 boats.
1 June: 198 migrants reported arriving in 4 boats.

Sources: Ministry of Defence weekly small boat migration data

May 2022: Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 2,884 in 88 boats

31 May: 249 illegal migrants come to the UK in 8 boats.
30 May: 32 illegal migrants brought to Dover by UK authorities in 2 boats.
24-29 May: No reported crossings.
23 May: 252 migrants reach the UK in 7 boats.
22 May: 234 people cross the English Channel and illegally arrive in the UK. The number of boats is reported to be 5.
21 May: : No reported crossings.
20 May: 41 migrants, on 1 boat, brought to Dover.
19 May: 106 illegal immigrants come to the UK in 3 boats.
18 May: No reported crossings.
17 May: 285 migrants, in 7 boats, make it to the UK.
16 May: 19 migrants brought to Dover after crossing the English Channel in 1 boat.
15 May: 389 migrants brought to Dover and Dungeness after coming in 10 boats.
14 May: 167 migrants arrive in 5 boats.
10-13 May: No reported crossings
9 May: 51 migrants come in 2 boats.
8 May: No reported crossings.
7 May: 169 migrants arrive in 11 boats.
6 May: 116 migrants arrive in 4 boats.
5 May: 65 migrants arrive in 2 boats.
4 May: No reported crossings.
3 May: 149 people arrive illegally in 4 boats.
2 May: 306 people illegally come to the UK after crossing the Channel in 9 boats.
1 May: 254 people come to the UK illegally in 7 boats.

Sources: Ministry of Defence weekly small boat migration data

April 2022: Number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 2,143 in 59 boats.

20-30 April: No known crossings took place.
19 April: 263 migrants crossed in 7 boats (see MOD data).
18 April: 88 migrants (in 2 boats) were reportedly brought ashore at Dover (see MOD data).
17 April: The Ministry of Defence, which took over monitoring the English Channel and the reporting of the figures from the Home Office on 13 April, says 76 migrants on 2 boats were brought to Dover (see MOD data).
16 April: 252 migrants, in 7 boats, were detected in small boats and brought to the UK by the government (see MOD data).
15 April: 181 migrants illegally arrived in the UK on 6 boats (see MOD data).
14 April: 562 migrants reached the UK on 14 boats (see MOD data).
13 April: 651 migrants illegally cross to the UK on 18 boats, the day it was announced that people arriving this way could be sent to Rwanda (see media report).
12 April: 39 migrants reach the UK (see media report).
11 April: 28 people brought in 1 boat (see media report).
1 – 10 April: Silence from the Home Office and media on whether or not there were crossings.

March 2022: Total number of disclosed illegal arrivals by boat during month: 3,066* in 95 boats.

29 – 31 March: No reports of whether or not there were crossings
28 March: 386 migrants reach the UK on 12 boats. The French reportedly stop a further 101 people (see media report).
26-27 March: Unconfirmed yet whether or not there were crossings on these dates.
25 March: 77 illegal immigrants come to the UK in 2 boats while the French reportedly stop 128 people.
24 March: 190 people illegally arrive in the UK in 6 boats while the French reportedly stop 85 people.
23 March: 59 people cross to the UK in 3 boats while the French reportedly stop 12.
22 March: 394 illegally cross to the UK in 11 boats (see media report).
21 March: 213 people illegally arrive in the UK in 6 boats.
20 March: Unconfirmed whether or not there were crossings on this date.
18 March: 308 people come to the UK in 9 boats while the French are reported to have stopped 248.
17 March: Unconfirmed whether or not there were crossings on this date.
16 March: 279 people cross in 9 boats while the French reportedly stopped 25 people.
15 March: 405 people illegally cross to the UK in 12 boats while the French are reported to have stopped 538 people from successfully crossing (see media report).
14 March: 24 people illegally come to the UK in an unknown number of boats.
5 – 13 March: Unconfirmed whether or not there were crossings on these dates.
4 March: 99 people reached the UK on 3 boats (see media report).
3 March: 253 illegal immigrants come to the UK on 10 boats (see media report).
2 March: 148 illegal immigrants come to the UK on 4 boats (see media report).
1 March: 230 people illegally come to the UK on 7 boats. The French authorities stopped 105 people from reaching the UK (see media report).

*The final monthly total may diverge from the daily estimates due to data availability

February 2022: Total number of disclosed arrivals during month: 143* in 5 boats

27 February: 132 people come to the UK on 4 boats (see media report).
13-26 February: Home Office does not report any migrant arrivals during period.
12 February. 11 migrants reported reaching the UK on 1 boat (see media report).
1-11 February. Home Office does not report any migrant arrivals during period.

*The final monthly total may diverge from the daily estimates due to data availability

January 2022: Total number of reported arrivals during month so far: 1,339* in 47 boats.

27-31 January. Home Office does not report any migrant arrivals during period.
26 January: 39 more people taxied into Dover from France.
25 January: 183 people reach the UK after coming here without prior permission in 7 boats.
24 January: 67 illegal migrants arrive in the UK on 2 boats (see media report).
23 January: 87 people, in 3 boats, were brought to the UK by the UK authorities after they set off from Northern Europe (see media report). The French reportedly stopped one boat with 10 people in it.
21-22 January: No reports yet of how many crossings there may have been, if any.
20 January: 25 people illegally come to the UK after crossing the English Channel (see media report).
18 January: 168 people crossed the English Channel and arrived illegally after travelling in 6 boats (see media report). The French authorities reportedly intercepted three events with 126 people prevented from making the crossing.
16-17 January: No clear reports of numbers on these dates.
15 January: 197 illegal immigrants cross the Channel in 7 boats (see media report).
14 January: 118 illegal immigrants come to the UK in 4 boats while the French also prevent 97 people from crossing (see media report).
13 January: 271 illegal immigrants cross in at 10 boats. 60 migrants were picked up in the Channel by the French authorities (see media report).
12 January: 30 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel in an unknown number of boats (see media report). Tragically one man – reportedly a national of Sudan who was in his 20s – lost his life in the Channel (see media report).
10 January: 96 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel in 3 boats. Meanwhile, the French picked up 56 migrants on two boas after they got into difficulty (see media report).
4 January: 66 illegal immigrants arrive in 2 boats (see media report).
1-3 January: No reported crossings on these dates, possibly affected by inclement weather, including heavy rain on 2 January.

*The final monthly total may diverge from the daily estimates due to data availability

2021 = 28,526 illegal immigrants were reported crossing (compared with 8,466 in 2020) – see Home Office bulletin, February 2022. About 28,400 of these are accounted for in reported incidents below and between 100 and 150 arrived on unknown dates.

December 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 1,770

27 December: 36 migrants cross the Channel illegally. The French authorities picked up 40 people who attempted the crossing (see media report).
25 December: 67 people illegally come to the UK after crossing the Channel in two boats, while the French authorities intercepted one boat (see media report).
22 December: 258 people come to the UK illegally after crossing the Channel in eight boats on Wednesday 22 December. The French authorities intercept five boats preventing 87 people from reaching the UK on both the 21st and 22nd (see media report).
21 December: 82 migrants illegally come to the UK on three boats (see media report).
20 December: Not known if anyone was reported crossing or not
19 December: 274 illegal immigrants come to the UK on 11 boats. French authorities reported to have stopped 178 people from making the illegal crossing (see media report).
18 December: Number of crossings as yet unknown
17 December: 358 people crossed in 10 boats (see media report).
16 December: 559 people were picked up off the Kent coast after making the crossing in 19 boats (see media report).
15 December: 36 migrants reported crossing the English Channel in one boat
5-14 December: Poor weather may have limited crossings although there may have been unreported, clandestine arrivals and likely were.
4 December – 100 illegal immigrants cross the Channel in three boats, while the French intercept no one (see media report).
1-3 December – The government and media have been silent on the number of people that may or may not have illegally crossed on these dates.

November 2021 –Total number of reported arrivals during month: 6,878

26-31 November -The government and media have been silent on the number of people that may or may not have illegally crossed on these dates.
25 November – 62 people entered the UK on two boats (see media report).
24 November – Tragedy struck when 27 people tragically died while attempting to get to the UK. There were also 757 reported illegal arrivals to the UK on 17 boats (see media report).
21-23 November – Awaiting confirmation of number of detected illegal arrivals on these dates.
20 November – 886 migrants illegally came to the UK on 28 boats (see media report). This is the third highest daily total ever recorded.
19 November – 14 migrants cross the Channel on a single boat (see media report).
18 November: 78 people on 4 boats illegally enter the UK after crossing the English Channel without permission (see media report).
17 November: 66 people come to the UK without authorisation by crossing the Channel on three boats (see media report).
16 November: 1,131 people reported to come to the UK illegally in 28 boats (see media report). This is the second highest daily total ever – after 11 November when 1,185 entered illegally.
15 November: 103 migrants come to the UK on four boats while the French authorities stopped 32 people from crossing (see media report).
12-14 November: We have had no confirmed reports of arrivals on these dates, although bad weather may have hindered illegal access to the UK.
11 November: 1,185 people entered the UK, in 33 boats, on this new record-smashing day (see media report).
10 November: 704 illegal immigrants entered the UK on at least 22 boats after crossing the Channel (see media report).
9 November: 504 illegal immigrants enter the UK via small boat, the eighth highest daily total ever (see media report).
8 November: 50 illegal immigrants arrived on two boats (see media report).
7 November: We have not received any confirmation yet of the number that arrived on these dates.
6 November: 29 illegal immigrants entered the UK on one boat (see media report).
4-5 November: We have not received any confirmation yet of the number that arrived on these dates.
3 November: 853 illegal immigrants come to the UK on 25 boats (more than 30 people per boat), the second highest ever recorded in a single day.
2 November: 456 illegal immigrants broke into the UK on 15 boats (see media report).
1 November: No reports yet about the number of people that illegally crossed the English Channel in small boats and broke into the UK as of yet. Watch this space!

October 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 2,669

27-31 October – We have had no reports from the Home Office or media about the number of people who broke in via this illegal route.
26 October – 145 illegal immigrants are ‘brought’ to the UK after crossing the Channel on five boats (see media report).
25 October – There have been no reports on the numbers that crossed on this date.
24 October – 29 migrants arrive on an unknown number of boats (see media report).
23 October – The Home Office says 35 migrants ‘reached the UK’ on two boats (see media report).
19-22 October – The Home Office have released no information on how many people were brought in by the ‘taxi service’ on these dates.
18 October – UK authorities bring 294 people to UK in ‘taxi service’ after they illegally crossed the Channel in 10 boats. The French prevented 298 people from coming in 8 boats (see media report).
17 October – 102 people illegally arrived in the UK in three boats, after they were ‘rescued’ or picked up by UK authorities such as the Border Force. The French prevented 90 people from crossing (see media report).
16 October – UK authorities brought 410 people to the UK after they came in illegal maritime events in 11 boats. The French intercepted at least seven boats, preventing 94 people from coming (see media report).
15 October: No word on the number of migrants who illegally entered on these dates.
14 October: 55 migrants reach the UK after illegally entering on two boats (see media report).
12-13 October: We await reports of the numbers that crossed on these dates.
11 October: 31 migrants came to the UK illegally on one boat (see media report).
10 October: 364 migrants illegally came to the UK on 11 boats – more than 30 people per boat (see media report).
9 October: 491 people illegally came to the UK after crossing the Channel on small boats (see media report).
8 October: 624 people crossed successfully to the UK – the fourth highest number of people in one day ever (see media report).
7 October: 89 migrants reach the UK on five boats (see media report).
1-6 October: Inclement weather seems to have reduced the number of crossings.

September 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 4,653

27-30 September – Awaiting update on the number of people that illegally crossed on these dates.
26 September – 669 people are reported crossing in illegal maritime events involving 22 boats, now the third highest daily total ever recorded (see media report).
25 September – 15 migrants arrive after crossing illegally in one boat (see media report).
24 September – 90 people arrive after illegally crossing in three boats from France (see media report).
23 September – The BBC said that no boats reportedly crossed on this date due to windy weather.
22 September – 459 people arrive in illegal maritime incidents on 14 boats (see media report).
21 September – 134 migrants reach the UK on five boats (see media report).
20 September – 123 people arrived on three boats (see media report).
19 September – 41 migrants reached the UK in one boat (see media report).
18 September – 426 illegal immigrants come on 14 boats (see media report).
17 September – 174 illegal immigrants reached the UK today on six boats. The French authorities intercepted 10 people on two boats (see media report).
16 September – 222 people illegally entered the UK after crossing the Channel in 10 boats (see media report).
15 September – The UK Border Force picks up 85 people who are attempting to enter the country illegally in four boats (see media report).
14 September – 11 illegal immigrants crossed in one boat (see media report).
13 September – 163 people reportedly crossed in seven boats (see media report).
12 September – 75 people reportedly arrived on four boats (see media report).
11 September – Awaiting confirmation of how many people crossed illegally on these days.
10 September – 67 people were reported as crossing on 2 boats (see media report).
9 September – 192 people arrived in the UK after illegally crossing the Channel on 5 boats (see media report).
8 September – 301 people reportedly arrived on 9 boats (see media report) .
7 September: 456 people reported to have illegally crossed on 17 boats (see media report).
6 September: The Home Office says that around 785 illegals entered the UK after crossing the Channel in (the third highest daily total on record) – see media report. 27 boats were involved.
5 September: 158 people are reported to have entered the UK illegally on four boats (see media report).
1-4 September: Awaiting more information about how many people crossed illegally (and how many people were helped to enter without proper authorisation by Border Force and others) during this period.
Unknown dates – Media reports suggest there were at least seven other reported arrivals by illegal immigrants crossing the Channel in small boats (see media report).

August 2021: Total number of reported arrivals during month: 3,015

22-31 August – Awaiting more information about how many people crossed illegally (and how many people were helped to enter without proper authorisation by Border Force and others) during this period.
21 August – 828 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel in 30 boats – the second highest ever (see media report).
16-20 August – We need more information about how many people crossed illegally (and how many people were helped to enter without proper authorisation by Border Force and others) during this period.
15 August – 285 illegal immigrants came across the Channel on boats. The French reportedly intercepted seven attempts to cross the Channel, stopping 106 people from reaching the UK (see media report).
14 August – No clear information released about whether people illegally arrived or not on this date.
13 August – 25 people illegally crossed the English Channel on one boat (see media report).
12 August – 592 people illegally arrived in the UK (see media report). Tragically, a 27-year-old Eritrean man lost his life trying to reach the UK when his boat started to sink off the French coast.
5 August – Another 475 migrants reach the UK illegally on 15 boats, the fifth highest daily total ever after the previous day (see media report).
4 August – 482 migrants came to the UK illegally on 21 boats (see media report).
3 August – 281 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel to the UK in an unknown number of boats (see media report).
2 August – 44 migrants travel to the UK illegally via boat across the Channel (see media report and video).
1 August – No confirmation of whether or not there were Channel crossings on these dates.

July 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 3,510

27-31 July – No confirmation of whether or not there were Channel crossings on these dates. There may have been fewer crossings due to inclement weather.
26 July – 160 migrants came to the UK illegally on five boats (see media report).
25 July – 378 illegal immigrants cross the Channel in 12 boats (see media report).
24 July – No confirmation of the number of crossings on this date.
23 July – 37 illegals arrive in one boat (see media report).
22 July – 175 people came here illegally on 6 boats (see media report).
21 July – 219 illegal immigrants reached the UK on 11 boats (see media report).
20 July – 287 illegal immigrants reached the UK in 12 boats (see media report of Home Office confirmation of total).
19 July – 430 illegal immigrants reached the UK on 14 boats, setting a new record for the time (see media report). On both this date and 20th July a large number of migrants made beach landings rather than being brought into the Tughaven processing facility in Dover. Border staff complained that because ‘the pressure of the volume of arrivals led to migrants being processed on the tarmac in full view of the public‘. They also complained there was no sun lotion available for them for the hundreds of illegal migrants who arrived. On this day too, the Home Office ordered pizza for hundreds of those arriving (see submission by Immigration Services Union).
18 July – 241 illegal immigrants come to the UK on eight boats, brought to Dover by Border Force (see media report).
14-17 July – No confirmation by the Home Office of whether or not there were crossings on these dates.
13 July – 10 migrants illegally entered the UK after crossing on one boat (see media report).
12 July – 346 people illegally entered the UK after crossing the Channel in 15 boats making it the busiest year so far for such crossings (see media report).
11 July – 254 people illegally came to the UK on nine boats after crossing the Channel from Northern Europe (see media report).
9 July – 225 illegal immigrants cross the English Channel on ten boats (see media report).
8 July – 71 illegal immigrants reached the UK in two boats (see media report).
2 – 4 July – 605 people illegally arrive after crossing the Channel on 21 boats (see media reports here, here and here.) This includes 201 on Friday 2nd, 192 on Saturday 3rd and 212 on Sunday 4th).
1 July – 72 illegal immigrants arrived after crossing the English Channel on two boats (see media report).

June 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 2,179

30 June – No confirmation yet on whether there were illegal crossings. Watch this space!
29 June – 150 illegal immigrants arrive in the UK on four boats (see media report).
28 June – 107 immigrants cross the Channel and illegally break into Britain on four boats (see media report).
27 June – 123 illegal immigrants crossed the English Channel on three boats (see media report).
26 June – 192 illegal immigrants cross the English Channel on 11 boats (see media report).
25 June – It is unclear whether there were illegal crossings on this date or not.
24 June – 85 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel in five boats, with some understood to have been brought to Dover by the Border Force patrol vessels Seeker and Speedwell (see video and media report).
19-23 June – It appears that there were no reported crossings on these dates with inclement weather being cited by some as a reason.
18 June – 14 illegal immigrants land at Dungeness in Kent (see media report).
17 June – 89 illegal immigrants cross the English Channel despite rainy weather, in four boats (see media report).
16 June – 59 people illegally arrive after crossing the Channel on three boats (see media report).
15 June – 80 illegal immigrants arrived on three boats (see media report).
14 June – 110 illegal Channel immigrants cross the Channel on five boats (see media report).
13 June – 96 illegal immigrants crossed the English Channel on six boats and were brought to Dover by the Border Force (see media report).
12 June – 39 illegal immigrants brought to Dover by UK authorities after they crossed the Channel in a single boat (see media report).
11 June – 27 illegal immigrants cross the English Channel (see media report).
10 June – 10 illegal immigrants successfully enter the UK after crossing the Channel without permission (see media report).
9 June – 179 people illegally came to the UK in six boats, escorted into Dover by the Border Force (see media report).
8 June – 64 illegal immigrants come to the UK in three boats (see media report).
7 June – 93 illegal immigrants cross to the UK on three boats (see media report).
6 June – Four boats carrying 89 illegal immigrants reached the UK (see media report).
5 June – The Home Office says no illegal immigrants crossed on this date.
4 June – 83 illegal immigrants cross the Channel in four boats (see media report).
3 June – 201 migrants illegally enter the UK after crossing the English Channel on eight boats (see media report).
2 June – 157 illegal immigrants reach the UK on six boats (see media report).
1 June – 132 illegal immigrants cross the English Channel on six boats, confirms government (see media report).

May 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 1,619

31 May – 71 illegal immigrants came to the UK on three boats (see media report).
30 May – 17 illegal immigrants brought to the UK by UK authorities after crossing the Channel (see media report).
29 May – 144 illegal immigrants cross the Channel to get to the UK in seven boats (see media report).
28 May – 336 people reach the UK in 19 boats (see media report).
27 May – 23 illegal immigrants brought to Dover by UK authorities after crossing English Channel in three boats (see media report)
21-26 May – We have not seen confirmation of whether or not there were more crossings on these dates…
20 May – 29 people illegally crossed the Channel to the UK on two boats (see media report).
16-19 May – So far we have not seen confirmation of whether or not there were more crossings on these dates…
15 May – 164 illegal migrants brought to Dover by Border Force after crossing the English Channel on eight boats (see media report).
14 May – So far we have not seen confirmation of whether or not there were more crossings on this date.
13 May – 199 migrants illegally reached the UK on nine boats (see media report).
12 May – So far we have not seen confirmation of whether or not there were more crossings on these dates.
11 May – 186 migrants arrive illegally on eight boats (see media report).
10 May – 43 migrants caught by the Border Force illegally entering the UK in one boat (see media report and media report).
9 May – 81 migrants illegally arrive on boats (see media report).
8 May – 49 migrants arrived via illegal Channel crossing (see media report).
3-7 May – So far no confirmation of whether or not there were more crossings on these dates. Inclement weather may have lessened the chance for crossings.
2 May – 92 migrants illegally crossed the Channel in four boats (see media report).
1 May – 185 migrants came to the UK illegally in nine boats (see media report).

April 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 746

30 April – 104 migrants reached the UK on four boats (see media report).
29 April – No information yet on whether migrants entered illegally via the Channel in small boats on this date.
28 April – Nine small boats carrying 209 illegal migrants crossed the English Channel and entered the UK (see media report).
22-27 April – No clarification yet on whether migrants entered illegally via the Channel in small boats on this date.
21 April – 27 illegal immigrants enter the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats (see media report).
20 April – 132 people on six boats illegally came to the UK after crossing the Channel, confirmed the Home Office (see media report).
19 April – 113 migrants illegally cross the Channel in seven small boats (see media report).
15-18 April – We’ve not yet seen confirmation of whether or not there were crossings on these dates
14 April – 42 people illegally enter the UK after crossing the Channel on three boats (see media report).
13 April – 40 people arrived illegally in small boats via the Channel (see media report).
11-12 April – We have not yet seen confirmation of whether or not illegal crossings took place.
10 April – Despite choppy conditions, 5 migrants illegally came to the UK via the English Channel in a small craft (see media report).
9 April – 44 migrants illegally arrive via small boat. The French prevented two attempted crossings (see media report).
2-8 April – No confirmation of whether or not there were crossings during this period, although 5 stowaways – believed to be from Morocco – were found in a ship which was headed for Dover.
1 April – 30 illegal immigrants arrive in the UK via the Channel on a small boat. The French also prevented several crossings, though the figures provided by the French and UK authorities ‘do not tally’. according to a media report.

March 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 831

31 March – 81 illegal immigrants arrive via six small boats in the English Channel, including in one beach landing involving 12 people at Dungeness in Kent (see media report).
30 March – 148 migrants, including babies, reached the UK on Tuesday, the second highest total for a single day this year after the 183 that made it in six boats to the UK the previous week. At least five boats were intercepted by Border Force and brought into Dover Harbour with the migrants (see media report here and here).
26-29 March – No reports of whether or not there were arrivals that we have seen.
25 March – 77 illegal immigrants cross the English Channel in small craft (see media report).
24 March – 67 illegal immigrants come here on three boats (see media report).
23 March – 183 people arrive in small boats via this illegal route in six boats, the third highest daily total ever (see media report).
22 March – No reports of whether or not there were arrivals that we have seen.
21 March – 10 people enter the UK after illegally crossing the Channel. The French authorities are said to have prevented 96 people from coming (see media report).
10 – 20 March – There has been a lack of data on whether or not there were crossings during this period. The weather has been cited as a reason for there perhaps being less crossings.
9 March – French authorities said they intercepted at least 61 people trying to make the dangerous crossing, including 33 people on an 8 meter boat (see media report). It is not yet clear whether anyone reached the UK on that day.
8 March – 115 people illegally arrived aboard seven light vessels – the highest daily total in four months, since 10 November 2020 . French patrols picked up 38 others who were attempting to reach the English coast (see media report).
7 March – 50 people illegally enter the UK via the Channel in three small boats (see media report).
5 / 6 March – Awaiting confirmation as to whether there were any illegal crossings on these days.
4 March – 14 people are detected illegally crossing in one boat (see media report).
3 March – 20 people illegally cross the Channel as the Border Force dealt with two ‘incidents’ (see media report).
2 March – 66 migrants illegally arrived in four boats. French authorities also stopped 22 migrants in two boats from making the crossing, a government spokesman said (see media report).
1 March – We have not seen reports of incidents on this day either in the media or from the Home Office.

February 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 308

28 February – Whether any crossings took place on this day of good weather is unconfirmed at present.
27 February – 87 illegal immigrants arrived in four boats after crossing the English Channel (see media report). According to one media report, a French warship escorted the boat of about 10 men for more than an hour. The boat was then “rescued” by Border Force officials when it ran out of fuel.
26 February – 33 people were brought to Dover by UK Border Force after illegally crossing the Channel (see media report).
24-25 February – It is unclear whether there were any illegal crossings on these days or not.
23 February – 77 people illegally cross the Channel (see media report).
22 February – 49 illegal immigrants were picked up on the Channel but 126 people were stopped by French authorities the night before (see media report). French officials counted eight attempted crossings. Four boats made it to British waters. The other four were towed back to France after their engines failed. A ninth crossing was thwarted with the arrest near Calais of a 46-year-old Syrian people smuggler who told police he had been paid €500 to bring an inflatable dinghy, a motor and five life jackets from Germany, where he lived (see media report).
7 – 21 February – we await confirmation on whether there were any detected illegal arrivals during this two-week period or not. During this period, on 18 February, a Kuwaiti man who steered an overcrowded boat across the Channel with 11 other migrants on board was jailed for three years and nine months (see media report).
6 February – 49 migrants illegally arrive in small boats (see media report). The French reportedly stopped 92 other people from making the unauthorised crossing.
5 February – 13 illegal immigrants cross the Channel (see media report).
1 – 4 February – Awaiting confirmation on whether or not there were crossings on these dates.
Unknown dates during February – 50 people appear to have illegally arrived on unknown dates (possibly 28 February)

January 2021 – Total number of reported arrivals during month: 223

29-31 January – No confirmation of whether or not there were or were not crossings.
28 January – 17 people illegally arrive in two boats; French authorities reportedly picked up 78 people on four boats (see media report).
19 – 27 January – Were there any illegal crossings during this period? The government have been silent.
17 / 18 January – Awaiting confirmation of any arrivals during this period.
16 January – Home Office says 36 migrants reach the UK in two boats while the French prevented 27 people making the crossing (see media report).
12-15 January – Awaiting data on whether or not there were crossings.
11 January – [The French authorities say two boats carrying 30 people got into difficulty and were returned to France (figure not included in total above) – see media report].
10 January – 57 people arrived, including 35 who were were “rescued” from a boat near Beachy Head (ie. illegally crossed the Channel with the help of our own taxpayer-funded authorities) – see media report here and here).
9 January 2021 – 103 people illegally crossed the Channel (see media report).
3-8 January 2021 – We have not yet seen figures on reported crossings during this period.
2 January 2021 – A boat carrying around 10 people was intercepted and brought into Dover Marina in Kent (see media report)
1 January 2021 – [3 people attempted to cross on New Year’s Day. The asylum seekers – one suffering from hypothermia – were picked up by a French customs ship and taken to coastal town Boulogne-sur-Mer – not included in total above (see media report)]

Unknown dates in 2021: 138 people arrived

2020 (whole year): 8,466 – see Home Office bulletin, February 2022. 8,466 are accounted for incidents below and 5 arrived on unknown dates.

Breakdown by month – 2020

Quarter 4 sub-total. Home Office figures released in March 2021 suggested the number of people crossing by boat in from October to December 2020 inclusive was 1,446, 47 less than the total suggested by the reported incidents below. We use the Home Office figures as the basis of our headline 2020 estimate above while still providing a summary of incidents, as reported, below.

December 2020

31 December – 33 migrants illegally cross on four boats while Border Force also detected 23 more people attempting to enter the UK illegally at Newhaven after traveling on an afternoon ferry from Dieppe. The total crossing on New Year’s Eve was 56 (see media report).
27-30 December – Awaiting more information on arrivals during this period.
26 December – Arrivals are reported to have slowed over Christmas with the arrival of storm Bella, but on Boxing Day, 7 people reached the UK after illegally crossing the Channel (see media report).
15-25 December – Awaiting further information about crossings during the period.
14 December – 8 migrants detained after a yacht ran aground off Teignmouth in Devon (see media report).
13 December – Awaiting further data.
12 December – 18 people cross the Channel illegally in two boats (see media report).
10/11 December – Awaiting data on whether or not there were crossings.
9 December – Home Office says 27 people crossed the English Channel on two boats (see media report).
8 December – We have no information on whether or not there were any detected crossings on this date.
7 December – 111 people reported to illegally cross the Channel in five boats. Meanwhile, the Clandestine Channel Threat Commander says the French prevented 35 people crossing (media report).
1-6 December – No information on whether or not there were crossings. We need more information.

November 2020

30 November – 16 migrants manage to reach the UK (see media report).
29 November – 2 people reached the UK in a kayak. French authorities say they prevented 19 people making the crossing (see media report).
28 November – 39 people reached the UK on three boats. France said it prevented 63 people from making the crossing (see media report)
26/27 November – 83 migrants reach the UK over the course of two days in six boats (see media report).
25 November – No information appears to have been reported about whether or not there were crossings on this day.
23 and 24 November – 54 migrants arrived in the UK after illegally crossing the English Channel. The first boat was brought into Dover Marina, Kent shortly after 9am. Approximately 14 men wearing coats, face masks and red life jackets were brought to shore on the back of Border Force vessel Speedwell. They were escorted up the gangway by immigration officers who wrapped blankets around them to keep warm. A smaller black Border Force dinghy then brought in around 15 more migrants at around 10.30am (see media report).
18 – 22 November – We await confirmation on whether or not there were crossings during this period.
17 November – 72 people were arrested in an anti-people smuggling operation after they were found crammed on a 30-metre fishing boat off the coast of East Anglia. Among those detained once it reached port were three crew members – a Latvian and two Ukrainian nationals – and 69 suspected illegal migrants of Albanian nationality. The boat had sailed from the Ostend area of Belgium (see media report).
13 – 16 November – Unclear if there were crossings for not during this period.
12 November – Unconfirmed number of migrants arrives via unauthorised cross-Channel route (see media report).
11 November – 76 migrants cross on four boats (see news report).
10 November – 159 people arrive in the UK in six boats. The French authorities stopped 30 migrants from coming (see media report).
9 November – 50 more migrants land in Britain via this unauthorised route. 15 migrants made it to shore at around 8am in Dungeness while a further 10 were detained in Deal. Border Force officials then picked up another 25 migrants who had gotten into difficulty, before bringing them to shore in Dover (see media report).
8 November – 144 people reach the UK on 10 boats (see report).
7 November – No report on whether crossings detected on this day or not.
6 November – 40 people come to the UK via this unauthorised route from a safe country. Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O’Mahoney said 60 people had been stopped from making the trip on both the 5 and 6 November (see media report).
5 November – 56 people arrive via the Channel illegally (see media report).
1-4 November – Information missing on whether or not there were any crossings.

October 2020

30-31 October – The media and Home Office fails to find out or reveal whether there were any crossings on these days.
29 October – A group of 11 Albanian migrants were found onboard a cargo ship at Southampton Docks after stowing away on a ship at Le Havre (see media report).
27 October – * A Kurdish-Iranian family tragically died when their overcrowded boat sank off the coast of France. Rasoul Iran-Nejad, his wife Shiva Mohammad Panahi, both 35, died along with their children Anita, nine, and Armin, six. Their baby son Artin, just 15 months old, is missing, presumed dead.
25-28 October – The media and government fail to disclose / report on the numbers that may or may not have come during this period.
24 October – 33 people illegally cross the Channel (see media report).
19 October – 100 people are reported by the media to have arrived via this unauthorised and deadly route (see report).
18 October – 62 people illegally cross in an unknown number of boats (see media report). However, the French Navy intercepted 11 boats containing a total of 191 migrants trying to get across the English Channel (see report).
17 October – 170 people illegally cross to the UK from the Continent on 12 boats (see media report). A further 222 were reportedly prevented from crossing by the French authorities.
16 October – Border Force brought one boat carrying 27 people to Dover (see media report).
14 October – The British Army was forced to stop a live shooting exercise on a military range today after a group of 16 migrants landed a 9ft speedboat in the middle of target practice. They were seen by a spotter heading towards shore at Lydd Ranges near Dungeness on the remote Romney Marshes in Kent having traveled 21 miles across the English Channel. The boat made landfall inside a designated danger zone after continuing to travel towards the site following a ‘check fire’ being called, which saw the reservist unit of British Army soldiers temporarily stop firing (see media report).
10 -13 October – We await information of whether there were any detected crossings or not.
9 October – 56 migrants in three boats picked up by UK authorities and taken to Dover UK in three boats (see news report).
1-8 October – No information about this period has been published by the media or authorities.

Quarter 3 sub-total. Home Office figures released in March 2021 suggested the number of people crossing by boat in from July to September 2020 inclusive was 4,520, 224 less than the total suggested by the reported incidents below. We use the Home Office figures as the basis of our headline 2020 estimate above while still providing a summary of incidents, as reported, below.

September 2020

30 September – 23 people are reported crossing on two boats (see report).
29 September – 48 people illegally cross in three boats (see media report here and here).
22 September – 393 people are detected illegally crossing in 26 boats (see media report). French authorities say they took 88 migrants in seven boats back to France (see report).
20 September – UK Border Force Hunter vessel picks up 20 migrants and took them ashore to Dover, Kent (see media report)
16 September – 26 people arrive in two boats (see report).
15 September – 151 migrants arrive in 11 boats (see media report). 11 people were also returned to Calais after their boat got into difficulty in the Channel. The French authorities prevented three crossings involving 36 people on Tuesday, according to the Home Office (see report).
14 September – 165 migrants arrive in 12 boats. The French prevented 7 boats from crossing involving 54 people (see media report).
11 September – Border Force and Coastguard deal with 27 boats involving at least 319 migrants who arrived in Kent (see media report). Other reports suggest that the Coastguard ‘confirm[ed]’ as many as 52 boats arrived.
10 September – Authorities deal with incident/s involving at least 17 people (see media report and media report).
9 September – One boat crosses with unconfirmed number of occupants (see media report).
8 September – At least one boat is dealt with by the Home Office – carrying at least 7 occupants (see media report).
7 September – 223 people ‘picked up’ on 18 small boats. A further eight boats with 106 people on board were stopped by the French authorities from making the crossing, a Home Office spokesman said (see media report).
6 September – 21 migrants arrive on two boats (see media report).
3-5 September – The media does not report any incidents over this period.
2 September – 416 migrants arrive in 28 boats, far surpassing the previous daily record of 235 migrants in early August (see media report).
1 September – 18 boats arrive with more than 145 occupants (see media report).

August 2020

28-31 August – Four days of bad weather make conditions more difficult for crossings.
27 August – 26 people arrive in three boats (see media report).
22-26 August – We await updates from the government / media.
21 August – Home Office deal with one incident involving 5 people from Chad and Sudan (see media report).
20 August – 8 migrants brought to Dover in one boat. They purport to be from Nigeria, Guinea, Gambia and Sierra Leone (see media report).
19 August – 164 migrants arrive in Kent in eight boats (see media report).
17 August – Two boats carrying 33 people arrive in the UK via the Channel (see media report).
16 August – 112 migrants arrive in eight boats (see media report).
15 August – 65 people arrive in five boats (see media report).
14 August – 48 people arrive in four boats (see media report).
13 August – Five boats carrying 89 people were picked up (see media report).
12 August – 71 people in six boats brought to UK (see media report).
11 August – Another 96 people in seven boats crossed the Channel (see media report).
10 August – 18 migrants arrive in a boat (see media report).
9 August – 65 people arrive (see media report).
8 August – 151 people come in 15 boats (see media report).
7 August – 146 people arrive in 17 boats (see media report).
6 August – 235 migrants get to the UK in one day – a new record (see media report and media report).
5 August – At least 13 migrants arrive (see media reports here and here).
4 August – Eight boats carrying 120 migrants arrive (see media report here).
3 August – At least 3 migrants from Sudan found in a boat off Ramsgate (see media report).
1 August – At least one person enters the UK by small boat, including at St Margaret’s Bay, Kent (see video footage).

July 2020

31 July – Nine boats carrying 96 migrants cross the Channel. The occupants of the boats presented themselves as Iranian, Syrian, Iraqi, Eritrean, Kuwaiti, Afghani, and Sudanese (see media report).
30 July – 202 migrants reached the UK – a then-record (see media report).
23 July – 86 migrants reach the UK in eight boats (seee media report).
22 July – 43 migrants arrive on four boats (see media report). They described themselves as Egyptian, Algerian, Iranian, Iraqi, Kuwaiti, Sudanese and Pakistani nationals.
21 July – 159 migrants cross in 13 boats (see media report).
19 July – 200 migrants cross in the worst-ever day for crossings. They included someone trying to reach in a pedalo stolen from a French beach. The migrants, in about 40 vessels, were met by Border Force, backed up by the RNLI and police (see media report).
18 July – Another 65 migrants get to the UK in five incidents (see media report). The Home Office said the latest migrants presented themselves as being from a number of nationalities including Eritrean, Syrian, Iranian, Gambian, Bissau-Guinean and Malian.
17 July – Nine migrant boats carrying 137 people were met by the Border Force in the English Channel (see news report).
15 July – A total of 85 migrants were helped ashore by Border Force in six incidents in the Channel (see news report).
13 July – 32 migrants arrive via this illegal route in four small boats (see news report).
12 July – 360 illegal immigrants were caught attempting to cross on this day, the Home Office confirmed. A then-record 180 were able to get across (see news report).
11 July – 6 migrants come to the UK via the Channel (see new report).
7 July – 10 migrants brought to Dover early in the morning. They were understood to be Somali, Sudanese and Yemeni (see news report).

Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 total = (465 + 2030 =) 2,495 (see Home Office figures released in March 2021).

Quarter 2 sub-total = Home Office statistics released in March 2021 indicate the Quarter 2 total was 2,030, or 320 more than the sum of reported incidents below. We take this official figure as the basis of our above estimate, while continuing to include a summary of individual incidents, as reported, below.

June 2020

26 June – 99 migrants arrive in eight boats. Among them are Syrians and Iraqis (see media reports here and here).
24 June – 82 migrants in six boats were brought to the UK by Border Force after being met in the Channel. Those onboard the boats presented themselves as Iranian, Somalian, Syrian, Yemeni, Kuwaiti, Afghan, Egyptian, Indian, Iraqi. There were also individuals from Togo and Niger (see news report).
21 June – 28 migrants in two dinghies and a kayak were brought to the UK by Border Force after they crossed the Channel illegally from a safe country in Northern Europe. There were 24 males and four females. They were reported to be Sudanese, Iranian, Kuwaiti, Iraqi, Syrian and Ethiopian (see media report).
18 June – An unconfirmed figure of 30 more people are brought to the UK by Border Force after being found in two small boats in the Channel (see media report).
17 June – 42 people were brought to the Kent ports after Border Force vessels went to meet three small boats that were illegally crossing the Channel. They gave their nationalities as Afghan, Kuwaiti, Iranian, Iraqi, Yemini, Syrian and Turkish (see news report).
15/16 June – 70 people brought into the Port of Dover by the Border Force after they crossed the Channel (see media report). They arrived in a spate of four incidents. A number of those arriving gave their nationalities as Cote D’Ivorian, Guinean, Kuwaiti, Iranian, Iraqi, Etritrean, Albanian, Sudanese and South Sudanese.
14 June – Border Force meets two boats carrying 17 migrants (see media report).
11 June – At least 8 migrants brought ashore after boat crossings. The Home Office has yet to confirm the number or nationalities. We will keep this updated if more information is released (see media report).
10 June – 44 migrants come including four people on two windsurfing boards tied together . They were reported to be Iranian, Iraqi, Yemeni, Afghani and Syrian nationals (see media report).
3 June – 167 come in one day on 8 boats, at that time a new record number for one 24-hour period (see media report). On this day, the largest boat so far seen contained 64 people (48 men and 16 women), which came in to land at Samphire Hoe beach near Dover (see media report).

May 2020

27 May – 60 migrants brought ashore yesterday after being intercepted in the Channel in four incidents (see media report).
26 May – Boats and kayak carry 80 people across Channel (see media report).
22 May – 13 people came to the UK via this route (see media report).
20 May – 64 migrants made it across the Channel in five boats (see media report).
17 May – A further 35 people were picked up in three boats (see media report).
16 May – 90 people brought to Dover by Border Force after they crossed in six boats (see media report).
13/14 May – Another 14 migrants reach Dover (see media report).
10 May – 17 migrants brought here after being encountered by the Border Force off the Kent coast. The Home Office said there were 11 men and six women on board who presented themselves as Iraqi nationals (see media report).
9 May – The Home Office picked up a further 82 migrants, seventy of whom were aboard inflatable boats, while 12 men were found at Dungeness on the Kent coast (see media report).
8 May – A record 145 migrants were brought to Dover after making the perilous journey across the English Channel. This is believed to be a new single-day record after 102 were picked up on February 7. Those picked up were Iranian, Iraqi, Kuwaiti, and Afghan nationals (see media report).
4 May – 16 migrants brought here after being encountered of the Kent coast by the Border Force (see media report).
3 May – 49 migrants were brought here after being encountered by the Border Force off the Kent coast (see media report)

April 2020

27 April – 90 migrants brought here after being encountered in Channel (see media report).
25 April – 35 migrants brought here after being encountered in the Channel (see media report).
24 April – 76 migrants were brought to Dover by the UK Border Force (see media report).
17 April – 73 migrants cross the Channel. Those landing in Dover were given face masks amid concerns about reports of a coronavirus outbreak in migrant camps in Calais (BBC News).
9 April – A boat with 16 migrants brought here after being encountered in Dover area (BBC News).
7 April – 63 migrants in four boats brought to Dover (BBC News)
4 April – Iranian, Iraqi, Kuwaiti, Syrian and Yemeni nationals were among the 53 people brought here after trying to cross the Channel. They were all taken ashore where they underwent medical checks and were passed to immigration officials, a government spokesman said. With the arrival of British Summer Time, such crossings were expected to become more frequent from now until the late autumn (see report).
2 April – 52 migrants, including five children, brought here after being encountered in the Dover area (see report).

Quarter 1 sub-total = Home Office figures released on 3 September 2020 indicate the Quarter 1 total was 49 less than the sum of reported incidents below. The Home Office total for Q1 = 465. We take this official figure as the basis of our estimate, while continuing to include a summary of individual incidents below (see Home Office figures, September 2020).

March 2020

27 March – Four small boats carrying 41 migrants were brought here after being encountered in the Channel (BBC News).
25 March – 95 migrants brought to Kent after crossing. They included Iranian, Iraqi, Afghan or Kuwaiti nationals. They were among more than 160 migrants, in six boats, who were caught crossing the Channel as fewer French patrols and warmer weather prompted an upsurge in attempts. 74 of those who attempted the crossing were caught by French authorities and returned to Boulogne (The Times).
23 March – Lockdown measures put in place in the UK to tackle Covid-19
19 March – A total 39 migrants in three boats were stopped in vessels in the English Channel. Among them were said to be Iranian and Iraqi nationals (see media report).
17 March – 25 migrants brought here after crossing the English Channel (see report).
4 March – 28 people, in two boats (27 of them men), were brought here by the Border Force and taken to Dover where they were assessed medically and handed over to immigration officials (see media report)

February 2020

7 February – 102 people brought here after being encountered in the English Channel – the highest number ever at that point since over 80 people arrived in one day in mid-2019. Five boats contained people said to be from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria (Sky News).
6 February – 90 migrants were brought here after being encountered in the Dover area (in eight boats) while trying to reach the UK. The Home Office said all of those found, apart from the group detained by Kent Police, were taken to Dover where they were medically assessed before being transferred to immigration officials to be interviewed. They were said to be of Syrian, Yemeni, Egyptian, Iraqi, Senegalese, Malian and Guinean descent (see media report).

January 2020: Total for month as recorded by individual reported incidents = 94 migrants were brought to the UK after making the attempted crossing between 20 – 27 January, according to figures from the UK and French authorities (see media report).

Annex B – Other reported illegal entries since 2018

15,000 illegal migrants have come to the UK by all the different routes during the first six months of 2022.

The reported total arriving since the start of 2018 is now approaching 100,000 (see Table 1 below).

Table 1: Detected illegal arrivals by mode of entry (Source: Home Office policy statement, March 2021, p. 7, and Home Office statistics published in February and May 2022). NB this does not include probable visa and non-visa overstayers, which the former independent borders watchdog suggested could be running at as much as 300,000 per year (see our briefing paper on this topic).

Boat Tracking Station – Illegal Maritime Arrivals From Safe Countries

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