Days without migrant boat crossings nears longest stretch in seven years
Politics / Sat 13th Dec 2025 at 12:30pm
THE number of days since migrants were last recorded arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel is on the eve of becoming the longest stretch of its kind in seven years reports LBC.
The most recent date on which people reached the English coast on completing the journey by boat was November 14, according to the latest Home Office data.
Since then, no migrants have been recorded arriving in the country, up to and including December 11 – a period of 27 days.
If no migrants arrive on Friday December 12, this would increase to 28 days, which would be the longest uninterrupted run since autumn 2018.
December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, with a combination of low temperatures, poor visibility, less daylight and stormy weather making the journey particularly difficult.
The most arrivals ever recorded in the month of December is 3,254, in 2024.
A period of 28 days in a row with no Channel crossings would represent the longest spell without arrivals since the 48-day gap from September 2 to October 19 2018 inclusive.
This year looks likely to see the second highest annual number of migrants arriving in small boats since data was first reported in 2018.
The all-time high is 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
The total for 2025 currently stands at 39,292, which is already more than in any other year except 2022, but would require 6,483 arrivals between now and the end of December to set a new record.
The Government has stepped up efforts in recent months to deter migrants from making the journey across the Channel, but the measures are not expected to have an impact until next year.
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https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/days-without-migrant-boat-crossings-nears-longest-stretch-5HjdPKp_2
jarrett
2025-12-13 13:23:39
So in fact nothing to do with smashing the gangs etc, but do not worry the Calais sailing club will so be on the move as soon as conditions allow.
Boris
2025-12-13 13:41:48
So, perhaps the answer is to erect giant fans on Dover cliffs to blow the boats back to France. Or, line up a few of our longwinded politicians to spout nonsense towards France across. Of course, we could always work together to improve conditions in the countries from where these the would be immigrants come from so they no longer see the need to come here. Sadly so many in theses areas seem to delight in killing each other.
Adam
2025-12-13 13:49:13
it was just bad weather, it happens, they are back again https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy95ye0q91yo
Jasper
2025-12-13 14:23:28
You spoke too soon. Reported on the news this morning there back in business
jarrett
2025-12-13 14:29:09
Coastguard plane up over the Channel so here they come waiting to be picked up by Border Farce.
Val
2025-12-13 15:29:08
This article is completely ridiculous. The only reason there have been no crossings is due entirely to recent weather conditions. Today, 13 December, it was reported on the radio that hundreds of illegal migrants are in dinghies en route to the UK and that 2025 will be the second highest year for illegal crossings. Starmer and 'smashing the gangs' are jokes.
Seamus
2025-12-13 17:40:53
163 came over today. They are not fleeing persecution, they are travelling from France.
Val
2025-12-13 19:47:07
Seamus is absolutely right. They are perfectly safe in France and no longer threatened by 'persecution' or 'war' or whatever they claim. They have no reason whatsoever to come here. We all know that the only reason they do is because we are naive and a soft touch offering free accommodation, food, medical care, etc. Who wouldn't want all these freebies? Stop dangling carrots, put them in detention centres pending speedy deportation, no appeals or legal aid and you will soon see the illegal crossings stop. Just needs a government that has backbone and is patriotic.
Adam
2025-12-13 22:06:30
It is interesting to see the Overton window change in real time.
Val
2025-12-13 22:15:04
600 illegals crossed today. 39,000 so far this year and a 16% increase on last year. So glad Keir Starmer and our estimable MP Chris Vince are truly 'smashing the gangs'! Pair of jokers!
Brian
2025-12-14 03:22:38
Don't tell me it's all down to starmer nothing to do with mid winter,what's happening to these poor people escaping war torn France Where's all the do gooders up in arms about it.
Dave
2025-12-14 04:03:58
Val is another fake Patriots. If you love this country so much, join the army
Paul Murphy
2025-12-14 09:08:31
One reads these triumphant declarations about a few stormy weeks in the Channel and cannot help but smile. The wind blows the boats back for a moment and suddenly the guardians of the nation proclaim a historic victory. They congratulate themselves as if the forces of nature had joined their party branch. Yet behind this little carnival of self satisfaction stands an economy that is staggering like an exhausted mule and a population curve that is sinking with the quiet determination of a stone in a pond. The truth is simple enough for anyone who cares to look. This country depends on migrant labour for its factories its hospitals its fields its care homes its transport its universities its entire functioning. The system consumes labour as a fire consumes wood and now finds that its own supply is dwindling. The birth rate falls the workforce contracts the elderly population expands and the ruling class pretends that a few gusts of winter wind have solved the contradiction. It is like watching a man patch a collapsing dam with a tea towel. And why do people move. Because the world market has plundered whole regions for decades and then expresses shock when the people who have been stripped of stability dare to follow the wealth that was taken from them. Capital travels freely across borders but the moment human beings attempt the same journey the chorus begins about illegality and invasion. It is a morality play written by accountants. The commentators who shout about handouts and soft touches reveal only that they have never studied a single economic trend. Migration is not a mystery. It is not a moral drama. It is a direct consequence of a system that creates inequality in one place and demands labour in another. The movement of people is as inevitable as the movement of capital. The only surprise is that anyone is still surprised. If one truly wished to reduce desperate crossings one would address the conditions that produce desperation. But that would require confronting the structure of the system itself and so instead we are treated to the spectacle of people applauding the weather as if it were a national policy achievement. The storm passes the boats return and the same voices will again demand explanations from the clouds. Until then the economy will continue to creak the population will continue to shrink and the defenders of the status quo will continue to congratulate themselves for victories delivered by the wind. Someone must point out the absurdity and it might as well be us.
Brian
2025-12-14 16:23:26
No dave val is normal,unfortunately you can't see it,she lives in the real world.
Seamus
2025-12-14 18:30:44
Woke up and the morning papers were all "27 days no migrant boats". By lunch time the papers were reporting 163 people were picked up by the Border Force taxi service. By the end of the day they declared 737 illegal economic migrants had crossed. It is simply unsustainable.
Stuart G
2025-12-15 09:14:15
Best paint some more roundabouts then!
Ted
2025-12-15 19:42:11
Paul . Your correct we need migrants over here. We need to build up our armed forces , so put them in one of them . That will stop the boats in a heartbeat.
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