More than 500 migrants cross the Channel today in biggest single day of arrivals so far this year
More than 500 migrants crossed the English Channel illegally on Sunday, March 2, 2025, marking the highest single-day number of arrivals so far this year.
The surge in crossings came as weather conditions in the Channel improved, prompting a flurry of small boats to attempt the dangerous journey from France to the UK.
The first boat was detected in UK waters just after 5 a.m., and throughout the day, multiple vessels were intercepted by Border Force officials. A total of five Border Force ships were deployed to handle the influx, with migrants being brought to Dover harbour for processing.
By 7 a.m., 120 migrants had already been taken to the Border Force processing center in Dover. By 8:30 a.m., that number had risen to over 250. By 3:30 p.m., GB News reported that a total of 505 migrants had arrived in Dover, nearly double the previous record set on January 13, when 260 migrants crossed in a single day.
This record-breaking day of arrivals comes just days after French authorities announced a significant change in policy aimed at curbing small boat launches. Under the new measures, French police will be allowed to pursue migrants and people smugglers into the water, up to 300 meters from the shore.
Previously, police were prohibited from pursuing boats once they entered the water. The policy change was announced following a meeting between UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and her French counterpart, Bruno Retailleau, in the coastal town of Le Touquet.
A Home Office spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling the issue, stating, “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”
The number of migrants crossing the Channel has been steadily increasing in recent years. In 2024, a total of 36,816 migrants made the journey, a 25% increase from the previous year. So far in 2025, 2,629 migrants have crossed the Channel, compared to 2,255 at the same point in 2024.
The record-breaking day highlights the ongoing challenges faced by both the UK and France in addressing illegal migration and people smuggling. While efforts to disrupt smuggling networks and improve border security continue, the dangerous crossings remain a pressing issue, with lives at risk and border security under strain.
