Border crisis deepens as over 1,000 migrants cross Channel in just 48 hours despite France upping patrols

MORE than 1,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats in just 48 hours.

They arrived in 15 dinghies — despite French police ramping up beach patrols and deploying tear-gas to deter launches.

Stuart Brock

More than 1,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats in just 48 hours[/caption]

Getty

Migrants waded into the sea and clambered aboard dinghies unchallenged in France[/caption]

Home Office figures show 437 crossed in seven small boats on Friday, followed by 583 in eight the next day.

It brought the total for the week to 2,083, and the tally for the year so far to 18,400 — up nearly 6,000 compared with this time in 2024.

The surge heaps huge pressure on PM Sir Keir Starmer, who last week admitted the situation was "deteriorating".

French officers were seen ramping up tactics on the beaches, firing gas at groups preparing to launch.

But some stood by as migrants waded into the sea and clambered aboard dinghies unchallenged.

The PM and French leaders Emmanuel Macron are expected to hold a summit next month focused on tackling the problem.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Labour has "totally lost control of our borders" after scrapping the Rwanda deterrent "before it even started".

He added: "Every single immigrant needs to be removed to a location outside Europe the minute they arrive.

"We need to repeal the Human Rights Act to stop illegal immigrants and foreign criminals abusing our rules to stay.

"And we should suspend the fishing deal until the French actually do what they are supposed to and stop these boats at sea."