Migrants being 'whipped' onto dinghies amid record 20,000 Channel crossings
The 20,000 figure was exceeded in record time, with some 440 people making the crossing across the English Channel yesterday alone.
Figures from the Home Office found this is up 50% on this point last year and 79% higher than at this stage in 2023.
It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 20,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.
The first year in which at least 20,000 arrivals were recorded was 2022, when the milestone was passed on August 14, and the total went on to hit a record 45,774 by the end of December.
The figures come as ministers continue to grapple with Channel crossings, with the situation on French shores worsening.
What appeared to be a measure of harsh crowd control, to prevent the 30-foot rubber boat from capsizing, a people smuggler's assistant in the water repeatedly whipped migrants with a cane if they tried to climb on too fast.
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He was seen furiously beating the terrified migrants who were scrambling to avoid the lashings, but could not afford to be left behind.
The Government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is continuing through Parliament, and will hand counterterror-style powers to police and introduce new criminal offences to crack down on people-smuggling gangs.
It has been reported that the UK and France are agreeing on a one in, one out migrant returns deal, under which migrants who arrive in the UK by small boats are returned to France, in exchange for the UK accepting those with legitimate claims to join family already in the country.
French officials have also agreed to changes that would allow police patrolling the coast to take action in the sea when migrants climb into boats from the water, which is yet to come into effect.
Days ago, it was revealed that migrants could soon be deported to France from the UK in a 'one in one out' deal. More Trending
The deal could see migrants who arrive in the UK by crossing the English Channel in small boats returned to France, but the UK would accept those with legitimate claims to join family already in the country.
The government previously vowed to crack down on people smuggling gangs across the Channel, while crossings are at a record high for this point in the year, totalling 18,518.
French officials have also agreed to changes that would allow police patrolling the coast to take action in the sea when migrants climb into boats from the water.
Under the new returns deal, a joint processing system between the UK and France would be set up to identify migrants who have a valid claim for family reunification in the UK.
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