Over 40,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year

MORE than 40,000 migrants have now crossed the Channel this year after these first arrivals of the month made the journey yesterday.

With the weather ideal for crossing after a recent spell of bad conditions, several packed boats arrived in Dover yesterday.

The crossings, thought to be the first since October 31, began in the early hours as Border Force staff brought the migrants ashore.

More then arrived throughout the rest of the day.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said: “These are shocking numbers of illegal arrivals.

"They show the small boat situation is entirely out of control.”

The processing and holding centre in Manston, Kent, was already at bursting point before the new influx, amid a row over conditions.

The number of people reaching the UK in small boats from France after navigating busy shipping lanes has increased steadily in recent years.

August 22 saw the highest daily total on record, with 1,295 people crossing in 27 boats.

Some 299 were detected in 2018, followed by 1,843 in 2019 and 8,466 in 2020, official figures show.

Despite the growing numbers, the small boat arrivals are a fraction of the number of people going to mainland Europe.