Almost 1,000 migrants cross Channel over bank holiday

Almost 1,000 migrants cross Channel over bank holiday16 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJoshua AskewSouth EastGetty ImagesAn inflatable small boat pictured in April 2026Almost 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel over the bank holiday weekend, the latest Home Office figures show.A total of 989 people arrived in the UK in 14 boats between Friday and Monday, after almost a fortnight without any crossings.It means that more than one in 10 people who have entered the country from mainland Europe so far this year arrived during the bank holiday weekend.A total of 8,565 people have crossed the Channel so far in 2026, which is 37% lower than at the same point last year.Crossings are more common during warmer weather periods, with the highest average monthly totals typically in August and September.The English Channel is one of the most dangerous and busiest shipping lanes in the world.The number of people taking the route each year peaked in 2022, when more than 45,000 people made the journey.The Home Office has been approached for comment.In April, the UK and France confirmed a new £662m deal to stop migrants from crossing the Channel.It will involve France deploying millions of pounds worth of drones, two helicopters and a camera system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants.Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.More on this storySmall boat arrivals top 800 at start of MayTrack UK's latest migration numbers - net migration, visas, asylum and small boatsEnglish ChannelMigration