Small boat crossings even HIGHER than last year after more than 500 migrants arrive in one day

Today, at least another 300 migrants have made the journey in six small boats.

Overnight, around 100 people were taken off two small boats and transferred to Dover harbour by a Border Force vessel.

This morning, Border Force vessels have intercepted four more boats and those on board are being taken to migrant processing centres in Kent.

If today's numbers are confirmed, more than 900 migrants will have crossed the English Channel since Monday.

The overall figure for the year so far is now more than 4,300. That total is over 500 more than the total for this point last year, when the Government recorded a 36 per cent fall in small boat migrant arrivals.

The Home Office said in a statement: “The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible.

“We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys.

“We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.”