Almost 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel over the bank holiday weekend, according to figures from the Home Office.
989 people in 14 boats arrived in the UK between Friday and Monday, accounting for more than one in 10 people entering the country from mainland Europe so far this year.
It comes following a fortnight without any crossings, with the Home Office saying it was “bearing down” on small boat crossings and had stopped more than 42,000 migrants trying to cross the Channel since the 2024 election.
It added: "We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally and are going further to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to this country.”
8,565 people have crossed the Channel so far in 2026, 37% fewer than at the same point last year.
The number peaked in 2022, with more than 45,000 crossings taking place.
Last month, the UK and France confirmed a landmark new deal to stop migrants from crossing the Channel.
The £662 million deal aims to boost "enforcement action on beaches and put people smugglers behind bars", according to the Home Office.
France will deploy millions of pounds worth of drones, two helicopters and a camera system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants, while riot-trained police will be sent to French beaches as part of the deal.
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