Britain’s Ministry of Defense said Monday saw a large number of refugees cross the Channel. Officials recorded 1,295 migrants crossing the water between England and France in less than 24 hours.
The new daily record is not an isolated fact. The British have seen a sharp increase in the number of refugees heading to Britain for some time.
So far this year, 22,670 migrants have been registered, more than double the same time last year. In 2021, 28,526 refugees were counted. Officials expect the total to reach 60,000 this year.
The previous day’s record was 1,185. It happened in November 2021.
Earlier this year, British officials said they expected the number of refugees to drop sharply as a major network of people smugglers was broken up. According to Europol, the European police service, the network was responsible for the crossing of ten thousand refugees in a year and a half.
More illegal immigrants across the Channel
Since 2020, more migrants are trying to reach the UK illegally via the Channel. Many attempts are made, especially in summer. Then the weather is usually fine.
The UK is trying to reduce the number of attempts through stricter measures. For example, there are longer sentences for people smugglers and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
The growing trend is causing tension between England and France. The British government argues that the French did not do enough to prevent boat immigration.
According to the French police, not all boats can be stopped due to the large number of migrants and the long coastline. Also, smugglers know how to bypass security. Charges come from Paris that British labor laws encourage boat migrants.
