According to data from the British Home Office, over 11,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel to reach England on «small boats» since the beginning of 2025. A record high at this point in the year. According to Yvette Cooper, the smuggling networks organizing these crossings «have taken advantage of a high number of calm weather days.»
This is a sad record. Since January 1, 2025, 11,074 migrants have managed to cross the English Channel to reach the United Kingdom on makeshift boats called «small boats.» As of May 3, 2025, at this point in the year, this number had never been reached so early. Compared to May 2024, there is a 45% increase. British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated on Times Radio that migrants have taken advantage of «calm weather.»
This data is unprecedented since the start of these crossings in 2018. For a similar number, it took until May 24 in 2024 and June 17 in 2023. According to figures from the British Home Office, this record is due to the fact that in April 2025 alone, 4,432 people managed to cross the English Channel, compared to 2,132 during the same period in 2024. In April 2025, there were twice as many successful migrant crossings as in 2024.
Comparing April 2024 and April 2025, the number of Channel crossings has doubled.
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© FTV
Comparing to 2022, the example is even more striking in terms of the number of successful boat crossings. At the same period three years ago, 41 smuggling boats had brought migrants to the UK compared to 186 in 2025. Looking deeper into the British Home Office data, it is evident that there are more people on these «small boats» now than a few years ago. In 2023, there were an average of 49 people on these makeshift boats compared to 59 in 2025. This unfortunate figure can also be explained by a record-breaking day.
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, nearly 600 migrants made the maritime crossing to the British shores.
«April figures are often quite high. We are continuing the trend from March,» analyzes Laura Poignet, coordinator of Utopia 56. The humanitarian association member continues by commenting that in her opinion, «we are continuing a non-welcoming policy.»
«Fighting illegal immigration and smuggler networks upstream«
On the political side, Yvette Cooper has defended the measures taken by the British government to combat illegal immigration since coming to power in July 2024. Recently, she also announced an amendment to the immigration law currently under review in Parliament to prohibit a foreign sex offender from obtaining asylum in the UK. This amendment states that courts will have a shorter time frame to review appeals filed by asylum seekers.
Regarding coast surveillance to prevent clandestine crossings, on February 27, the British and French signed a one-year extension of the Sandhurts treaty until 2027. This agreement involves the UK’s financial contribution to immigration control from French coasts.
A few days later, on March 6, 2025, another Franco-British cooperation was ratified. This is the roadmap of the «upstream» group. «This Franco-British group fights upstream against illegal immigration and smuggler networks leading to the shores of the North Sea and the English Channel,» recalls the French Interior Ministry on its official website.
On the French side, it is also important to note that in recent months, the number of police patrols near the beaches of the Opal Coast has been increased. Coastal law enforcement also uses drones, considered an effective means to stem the migration of migrants to England from the Channel.
This maritime sector is one of the busiest in the world, with over 600 merchant ships passing through it daily, and the weather conditions are often challenging.
Maritime Prefecture of the English Channel and the North Sea
Indeed, after every boat rescue, the maritime prefecture warns anyone considering crossing the Channel of the risks involved. «This maritime sector is one of the busiest in the world, with over 600 merchant ships passing through it daily, and the weather conditions are often challenging,» the institution often informs.
Despite successful crossing attempts, reaching England sometimes ends in tragedy. Since the beginning of 2025, 10 migrants have died in the Channel.
According to data from the British Home Office, over 11,000 migrants have reached England aboard «small boats» since the beginning of 2025. This is an unprecedented record at this point in the year. Yvette Cooper a déclaré que les réseaux de passeurs qui organisent les traversées de la Manche ont tiré profit d’une période de jours avec une météo calme. On Thursday, May 1st, 2025, nearly 600 migrants made the maritime crossing to the British shores.
Laura Poignet, coordinator of Utopia 56, analyzed the situation stating, «April figures are often quite high. We are in line with those of March.» She further commented that in her opinion, «we are following a non-welcoming policy.»
Politically, Yvette Cooper defended the measures taken by the British government to combat illegal immigration since coming to power in July 2024. She recently announced an amendment to the immigration law currently under review in Parliament to prohibit a foreign sexual offender from obtaining asylum in the UK. The amendment also includes shorter deadlines for asylum seekers’ appeals to be processed by the courts.
Regarding the surveillance of the coasts to prevent clandestine crossings, on February 27th, the British and French signed an extension of the Sandhurts treaty until 2027. This agreement involves the UK’s financial contribution to immigration control from the French coasts.
A few days later, on March 6th, 2025, another Franco-British cooperation was ratified. This is the roadmap of the «upstream» group. The French Ministry of the Interior states that this group fights upstream against illegal immigration and the networks of smugglers leading to the shores of the North Sea and the English Channel.
On the French side, it is also important to note that in recent months, the number of police patrols near the beaches of the Opal Coast has been strengthened. Coastal law enforcement also uses drones, considered an effective way to prevent migrant crossings to England from the English Channel.
The maritime prefecture of the English Channel and the North Sea warns individuals contemplating crossing the Channel about the risks involved, emphasizing the heavy maritime traffic and challenging weather conditions in the area.
Despite successful crossing attempts, reaching England sometimes ends tragically. Since the beginning of 2025, 10 migrants have died in the English Channel.
According to data from the British Home Office, over 11,000 migrants have reached England aboard «small boats» since the beginning of 2025, setting an unprecedented record at this point in the year. Yvette Cooper a déclaré que les réseaux de passeurs qui organisent les traversées de la Manche ont tiré parti d’une météo calme pendant un nombre élevé de jours.
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