The Home Office has said that at least 482 migrants have crossed the English Channel in 21 small boats on Wednesday, setting a new record for a single day.
These numbers are believed to be just a fraction of those who reached British shores over the course of the last few weeks.
The Ministry of Defence had earlier confirmed that an exercise on its firing range at Hythe was halted when people landed on the beach there.
Every day, countless refugees brave the dangerous seas in hopes of reaching safety.
According to Home Office figures, there have now been 10,260 arrivals in 435 boats so far this year.
French authorities reported that they had stopped 246 people from crossing the English Channel.
Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O’Mahoney said that these dangerous small boat crossings, facilitated by criminal gangs, are putting lives at risk.
“These numbers are unacceptable, that’s why we are taking action on all fronts.”
“Law enforcement agencies are dismantling the people smuggling gangs. Joint work with the French has seen a doubling of police officers on French beaches.”
The previous high for daily arrivals on small boats was 430 migrants on 19th July and 416 people on 2nd September 2020.
