Nearly 200 migrants crossed the English Channel on Monday, crammed into three small boats, as people smugglers took advantage of calmer weather conditions. This comes just a day after nearly 600 people made the dangerous journey on Sunday, highlighting how smugglers are capitalizing on the improved weather to increase crossings.
So far in 2025, a total of 2,899 migrants have reached the UK in 54 boats, with an average of 56 people per boat.
This number is already higher than the same period last year, indicating a growing crisis. Tragically, at least five people have lost their lives attempting the crossing, and French mayors are calling for more support as bodies continue to wash up on their shores.
Former Border Force Director General Tony Smith has raised concerns about the situation, pointing out that migrants are exploiting weaknesses in the UK’s visa system and living in dire conditions in unsanitary camps along the French coast. He warned that the crisis is only going to get worse as the weather improves, with hundreds of migrants waiting for their chance to cross.
In response, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has introduced new measures to tackle the issue. Migrants who refuse rescue or endanger lives during crossings could face up to five years in prison. Additionally, those involved in supplying small boat equipment, such as engines or life jackets, could be jailed for up to 14 years.
The Home Office is also giving Border Force new powers, similar to those used in counter-terrorism efforts, to seize electronic devices like phones and laptops from suspected smugglers or facilitators. This is aimed at gathering crucial intelligence to disrupt smuggling networks and prevent further crossings.
The situation remains critical, with Border Force officers often dealing with what they describe as “floating crime scenes,” where traumatized migrants are unable to provide information about their journeys. The new laws are designed to address these challenges and crack down on the criminal gangs organizing these dangerous trips. However, with the weather improving, officials fear that the number of crossings will continue to rise, putting more lives at risk and increasing the strain on resources.
