Channel migrant crossings hit new daily record for 2023

More than 700 migrants crossed the Channel on small boats yesterday in a new daily record for 2023. Home Office figures show 755 people were detected making the dangerous journey on Thursday. It surpasses the previous daily record of 574 on July 18 and takes the total number of small boat arrivals so far this year to more than 18,600. Meanwhile, it takes the total since records began in 2018 to more than 100,000. It comes after chaotic scenes on the English Channel yesterday which saw a Border Force vessel break down and a drone crash into the sea.