Nearly 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel over the bank holiday weekend, according to the Home Office's latest figures.Between Friday and Monday, a total of 989 people arrived in 14 boats following nearly a fortnight without any crossings.The busiest day was Friday, which saw a total of 394 migrants land in the UK in six boats. Saturday saw 284 people arrive in four boats, while 308 arrived in the UK in four boats on Sunday and Monday.Migrants were seen smiling and throwing up peace signs after boarding a dinghy in France before making the dangerous crossing to the UK on Friday.The latest data shows that more than one in ten people entering the country illegally from Europe this year came into the UK this weekend, with 8,565 people arriving since the start of the year.The Home Office claims it is 'bearing down' on small boat crossings, saying that it has stopped more than 42,000 migrants from crossing the Channel since Labour came into power in 2024.It added: 'We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally and are going further to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to this country.'The number of people making the illegal crossing peaked in 2022, when more than 45,000 people made the journey. Police watch as migrants wait to board an inflatable boat at Dunkirk on May 23, 2026 Between Friday and Monday, a total of 989 people arrived in 14 boats following nearly a fortnight without any crossings Police officers walk next to abandoned belongings left by migrants after they boarded and inflatable dinghy before leaving the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, on the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, May 23, 2026