Illegal crossings hit 25,000 weeks earlier than ever as government fails to slow migration tide

The number of people crossing the English Channel in small boats has surged past 25,000 this year — and it’s only July.

In a stark sign that Britain’s border challenges are worsening, Home Office figures confirm that 898 people crossed in 13 boats on Wednesday alone, pushing 2025’s total to 25,436. It marks the earliest point since records began in 2018 that this figure has been reached, smashing previous milestones by weeks.

Last year, the 25,000 threshold was crossed on 22 September. In 2023, it wasn’t hit until 2 October. Even during the record-setting year of 2022, it took until 27 August. But in 2025, the figure has already been surpassed before August even begins.

The year-on-year numbers paint a grim picture: a 51% increase from this time in 2024, when 16,842 people had crossed, and a 73% spike from 2023’s figure of 14,732. Ministers’ repeated pledges to “smash the gangs” that profit from people-smuggling appear to be having little immediate impact.

This spring and summer, the government unveiled a string of measures aimed at halting the surge. Most recently, Keir Starmer’s administration introduced a “one in, one out” pilot deal with France — designed to return migrants to French shores in exchange for asylum seekers with UK ties. However, the scheme has yet to launch.

In July, French police made headlines after reportedly using knives to deflate dinghies already afloat, following pressure from British negotiators. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy unveiled a sanctions regime to target key smuggling figures operating along the Channel route.

Despite these efforts, the crossings have only accelerated.

The situation has also reignited tensions across local communities. Earlier this week, The Guardian revealed that an additional 445 asylum seeker beds are being prepared at RAF Wethersfield in Essex. This comes despite previous pledges to reduce numbers at the controversial site.

The Home Office defended the move, saying it operates all accommodation sites “in accordance with relevant planning permissions” and that it continues to review its estate “safely and effectively”.

But not everyone is reassured. In Epping, Essex, protests erupted outside the Bell hotel, which is currently housing asylum seekers. Anger reached new heights after a man was charged with attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Local political leaders have urged Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to prioritise closing the site, citing spiralling community tensions.

Essex police confirmed 14 people have been charged in relation to demonstrations outside the hotel, with 23 arrests in total.

Back in Westminster, concern is growing. No. 10 has warned that Britain is “fraying at the edges” and faces the threat of social unrest akin to last summer’s riots.

Starmer, addressing his cabinet, emphasised the urgent need to “repair the social fabric” and improve integration in areas facing the heaviest migration pressures.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has gained traction in the polls by attacking Labour’s handling of irregular migration, warning that government measures are failing to stem the tide.

As the crossings rise faster than ever before, ministers face growing pressure to deliver tangible results before Britain’s fractured communities reach breaking point — or the number of arrivals eclipses the record 45,774 set in 2022.