Migrant Channel crossings top 1,000 for year so far
The latest arrivals mark a new record since the crisis began in 2018.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 1,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year, hitting a new record.
Home Office figures show 129 people made the journey in two boats on Tuesday, taking the provisional total for 2025 to date to 1,019.
It means it has taken 21 days since the start of the year for crossings to top 1,000 – the quickest time on record that the milestone has been reached for any calendar year.
In 2022 – a record year for crossings – the number of people arriving in the UK after making the journey did not reach 1,000 until January 23, PA news agency analysis of Government data since the crisis began in 2018 shows.
And in 2024 the total reached 1,000 on January 28.
This time last year 621 people had arrived in the UK after making the journey compared with 280 in 2023 and 963 in 2022.
Crossings continued on Wednesday, with people wearing life jackets pictured being brought ashore from a Border Force boat in Dover, Kent.