Sir Keir Starmer slammed as illegal Channel arrivals rise to 5,000 since the election

THE PM has been told to get a grip on illegal Channel arrivals as they soar to near 5,000 since he won the election.

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of ushering in a small boats free-for-all by ditching the Tories’ Rwanda deportation plan.

Instead, he has promised to “smash the gangs” by setting up a Border Command unit.

On Sunday a record 703 migrants crammed into 11 dinghies to make the most of calm seas, while on Monday a further 125 arrived.

Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Since Labour have ditched our deterrent, more and more boats are crossing with more and more people in them — approaching 5,000 in under five weeks.”

He said the Government had “sent the wrong signal.”

And he added: “They need to get a grip — and fast. Their phantom border command clearly isn’t working.”

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, accused the PM of encouraging gangs.

He told TalkRadio: “There’s 5,000 more people and that’s 5,000 more people getting free health care, free dentistry, free housing, free bed and free board.”

A Home Office spokesperson insisted: “We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk.

"The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security — setting up the new Border Security Command which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies.

“It will be equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit.”