Saturday’s arrivals were the most on a single day in December and take the annual total to 41,455
More than 800 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Saturday, a record for a day in December, according to the Home Office.
December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, as a combination of low temperatures and stormy weather makes the journey particularly difficult. Poor visibility and less daylight have also been cited as factors influencing the crossings.
The most arrivals recorded in December was 3,254 in 2024; 2,163 people have arrived so far this month.
The arrivals on Saturday bring the total number of people who have crossed the Channel this year to 41,455. The record annual total was 45,755 in 2022.
