First Migrant Crossings of the English Channel to the UK Recorded in 2024
After a hiatus of 27 days, migrants have resumed crossing the English Channel to the UK, marking the first recorded arrivals in 2024. Home Office figures reveal that no arrivals were reported since December 16, with adverse weather conditions possibly contributing to the prolonged absence of activity at sea.
This recent crossing is particularly noteworthy as it breaks a streak of 27 days without small boat arrivals, representing the longest gap in such incidents in just over five years. Additionally, it marks the first time in five years that no Channel crossings occurred on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day.
A group believed to be migrants was observed being brought ashore in Dover, Kent, this morning, arriving on a Border Force vessel. The resumption of crossings indicates a shift in the trend, as the number of migrants making the perilous journey across the Channel has fallen year-on-year for the first time since records began in 2018.
The provisional annual total for crossings in 2023 stands at 29,437, reflecting a 36% decrease from the record 45,774 crossings in 2022. While this represents a decline, the 2023 figure remains the second-highest annual total on record, surpassing the 2021 figure of 28,526.
As the authorities grapple with managing and addressing the complex challenges associated with irregular migration, the recent resumption of channel crossings underscores the ongoing need for comprehensive strategies and international cooperation to address the root causes and risks associated with such journeys.
