One migrant crossed the Channel every six minutes during first week of October, new figures show

50 comments 50 Next ONE migrant crossed the Channel every six minutes during the first week of October, new figures reveal. A whopping 1,739 people made the journey to Britain in just seven days – an average of more than ten every hour. An inflatable dinghy carrying around 65 migrants crosses the English Channel Credit: Getty Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement The migrants arrived aboard 23 small boats between October 1 and 7, bringing the total number who have reached UK shores so far this year to 20,935. Monday was the busiest day of the week, with 609 migrants making the crossing in eight boats, while an average of 76 people were packed into each vessel over the seven-day period. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage blasted: “It is an out of control disaster that poses a massive threat to our national security. “It’s only getting worse under Open Borders Burnham.” READ MORE ON POLITICS 'TOUGH LOVE' 'Everyone who can work, WILL' vows Kemi as she blasts Burnham benefits splurge TIK-ED OFF Kemi will slam PM for being a dangerous left-winger who uses slick TikTok videos Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also accused Labour of leaving Britain’s borders “wide open” and failing to deliver on its promise to smash the people-smuggling gangs. He said: “Many of these illegal migrants, who are mostly young men, go on to commit horrific crimes inducing murder and rape. “Labour has not smashed the gangs and their deal with France has just collapsed. “They have allowed 95 per cent of illegal small boat migrants to stay, putting them up in hotels and flats. No wonder they keep on coming.” Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'JUST HORRIFIC' The worst bed bug infestation ever? Thousands pour out of home's WALLPAPER time for change Why do the clocks go back earlier this year and when will they change? HOTEL HELL Brit girl, 17, ‘sexually assaulted by security guard’ at hotel while on holiday LOVE CUTS DEEP Husband will REMARRY ex-wife who sliced penis sliced off in fury over affair Overall arrivals remain down on last year, when more than 41,000 migrants crossed the Channel, with numbers so far in 2026 around 40 per cent lower than at the same point in 2025. A Home Office spokesperson said: “This selective data does not paint an accurate of this year which has seen arrivals fall to the lowest level since 2020. “Over 48,000 crossing attempts have been prevented since the election, and we’ve saved taxpayers more than £1billion by closing asylum hotels.” 50 comments 50