Channel crossings: Record shattered as 409 migrants cross in a single day

Wednesday’s total surpasses previous high of 235, set earlier this month

At least 409 migrants crossed the English Channel to reach UK shores on Wednesday, authorities have announced, setting a new single-day record.

Although many were intercepted at sea by Border Force patrol vessels, hundreds of people were able to take advantage of the flat seas to safely land on British beaches in a rush of small boats.

It brings the total number of migrants who have crossed the sea to Britain in 2020 to more than 5,600.

Wednesday’s record total, as confirmed by the Home Office, surpasses the previous high of 235, set on 6 August.

The crossings come as prime minister Boris Johnson said that the UK is a “target and magnet” for people traffickers and vowed to change the law to help tackle the crisis.

Large numbers of migrants were seen being brought into the Kent port, packed aboard Border Force vessels and sitting on the front of lifeboats.

Some smiled and waved as they arrived while others carried toddlers too young to walk.

Numbers arriving were so high that dozens of migrants spent an hour sat on Border Force boats in the harbour before they were allowed to disembark.

More incidents were ongoing and the Home Office’s official count could be revised up.

In recent weeks, the Home Office has sought to blame French authorities and “activist lawyers” for rising numbers of crossings and difficulties removing asylum seekers once they arrive in Britain.

Last month, home secretary Priti Patel appointed former Royal Marine Dan O’Mahoney to the post of “clandestine Channel threat commander”.

He is expected to be among those giving evidence about migrant crossings to the Home Affairs Committee on Thursday.

The shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said on Wednesday that the government’s approach to rising English Channel crossings had been “defined by a lack of compassion and a lack of competence”.

“The government was warned, including by the Foreign Affairs Committee, that the collapse of safe routes would lead to growing numbers of people taking to the sea,” he added.

“What we need now are solutions, not empty headlines trying to sound tough, and I have deep concerns that the government in recent weeks through talking of deploying the navy and the RAF has tried to militarise a solution where lives are at risk.”

Additional reporting by PA