Channel crossings crackdown starting to ‘bear fruit’ as summer arrivals fall, says Mahmood

Government action against small boat Channel crossings is starting to "bear fruit," according to the Home Secretary , following a drop in summer arrivals to their lowest point since 2019.

Between June and August, 102 small vessels were detected making the journey across the English Channel . This marks the lowest summer total since 2019, when 57 boats were recorded.

Although calmer weather during the summer months typically leads to an increase in crossings, fewer vessels have attempted the trip this year. Recent reports suggest, however, that smuggling gangs are now packing larger numbers of migrants onto fewer, bigger craft.

Official figures show 2,313 individuals arrived during August, excluding unpublished numbers from Bank Holiday Monday. Over the three summer months, 7,371 people completed the crossing, representing the lowest overall summer total since 2020, when 3,307 arrived.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "This Government is committed to restoring order at our border.

"This work is beginning to bear fruit, with June, July and August recording the lowest number of small boat crossings in seven years.

"We will be relentless in targeting the criminal gangs behind these crossings, and we will continue to remove the incentives that draw people here on unsafe and illegal routes."

The Home Office highlighted the impact of the UK-France enforcement deal, which has led to increased French police activity across beaches in northern France.

Collaborative action has stopped more than 48,000 crossing attempts since the 2024 election, the department said, while the National Crime Agency and international partners have seized over 1,100 boats and engines to choke supply lines.

The Home Secretary aims to enforce stricter measures via the Immigration and Asylum Bill. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to meet French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street to discuss joint efforts to stop the crossings.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies