More than 600 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Saturday, marking the second-busiest day for crossings so far this year.
According to figures from the Home Office, 602 people arrived in Dover aboard nine boats. This brings the total number of arrivals in 2026 to over 6,000.
The highest daily figure this year remains 605 arrivals recorded on 25 February.
Ongoing efforts to curb crossings
The Home Office said it is continuing efforts to reduce crossings, including cooperation with France to disrupt people-smuggling networks.
A three-year £476 million agreement between the UK and France—focused on increasing patrols and surveillance—expired on 31 March. A temporary two-month extension worth £16.2 million has been put in place while negotiations continue on a new deal.
Under the current arrangement, nearly 700 officers patrol northern French beaches using drones and vehicles to prevent departures.
Rising numbers and risks
Crossings have increased over recent years, with 41,472 people arriving in the United Kingdom by small boats in 2025.
The journey remains dangerous. Earlier this month, two migrants died attempting the crossing, while six others were rescued.
A Home Office spokesperson said the government had prevented more than 42,000 attempted crossings since the last election and had deported nearly 60,000 people without legal status.
Officials added that further measures are planned to deter irregular migration and increase deportations of those without the right to remain in the UK.
If you want, I can combine this with your earlier migration stories into a single analytical piece on global migration trends (US, Europe, Middle East) — it would read like a high-level briefing.