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A record 165 migrants reportedly crossed the Channel to the UK in a single boat on Thursday. The number breaks the previous record from July, when 128 crossed to the UK from France in one vessel.

Border Security Command was pictured by the Press Association towing the boat – dubbed a “mega dinghy” by the media – when it arrived in Dover on Thursday afternoon. It was estimated to be around 13m (42ft) long – the same as a standard bus. Refugee charity Care4Calais said the crossing route is becoming “more and more dangerous” because of the increasing number of people per boat. Sydney Sopher, chief operations officer, said: “The UK and French governments have spent years focusing on border security and enforcement, yet all they’ve achieved is to make Channel crossings more and more dangerous. Just days ago a body was found on the beach in Berck, the latest victim of the hostile environment against refugees carried out by both nations. These are preventable tragedies.

“The data shows that the average number of people crossing on single boats has been increasing year on year, but it could all be stopped overnight by opening safe routes.

“That the Government continues to ignore the unequivocal evidence that safe routes work, is a political choice that prioritises the demonisation of refugees over compassion.”

Home Office figures show 366 people arrived after crossing in three boats on Thursday during warm, sunny weather and calm conditions at sea.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Smuggling gangs are taking greater risks than ever with the number of people they are cramming into unseaworthy boats rising year on year.

“This crossing serves as a stark reminder that criminal gangs have no regard for the safety of those they claim to help – the reality is clear and lives are being lost in the Channel as a result.

“This is exactly why we have signed a new deal with the French to prevent these perilous journeys by boosting enforcement action on beaches, building on the over 45,000 attempted crossings stopped since the election.”

The UK Coastguard said that Border Force vessels, a UK Coastguard aeroplane along with RNLI Dungeness lifeboat, responded to “small boats activity” in the Channel on Thursday morning.

Some 172 people made the journey in three boats on Wednesday, bringing to an end an 11-day hiatus when wind swept the Channel, and making these the first crossings since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.

Press Association analysis of Government data shows 77,183 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel during Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, after Labour’s election victory in July 2024.

According to Home Office figures, 13,007 arrivals have been recorded this year.

This is 45% lower than the number recorded by this time last year and down 18% on the same period in 2024.