'SOFT TOUCH' UK ON COURSE FOR RECORD HIGH IN ARRIVALS

SIR Keir Starmer has told of his "anger" at illegal immigration and admitted the UK has been a soft touch.

- By Michael Knowles

It came after a record number of asylum seekers crossed the Channel in the first three months of 2025, sparking fears it will be the worst year ever for boat crossings.

Sir Keir, who opened an immigration crime summit in London, was accused by critics of creating an "existential crisis" at UK borders by allowing smuggling gangs to run riot. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp claimed the latest figures left the Prime Minister's plan "in tatters".

And a former Border Force chief warned that the UK is set to be dependent on countries who "may not be willing to help" to block more boats, engines and migrants from leaving the French coast.

It comes as it was announced that 6,642 migrants have been detected in the Channel so far this year up 33% on the same time last year. Sir Keir told the summit that 24,000 people who "have no right to be here" have been returned to their home countries since Labour took power in July.

The PM said he was "angry" about the scale of illegal immigration around the world because it has become a "massive driver of global insecurity".

Sir Keir added: "We can only smash these gangs once and for all if we work together. Because this evil trade, it exploits the cracks between our institutions.

"It pits nations against one another. It profits from our inability at the political level to come together." He criticised the previous Tory Government for allowing illegal migration to soar, saying: "For too long the UK has been a soft touch on migration."

The Prime Minister said that a lack of co-ordination between the police and intelligence agencies had been an "open invitation" for people smugglers to send migrants to the UK.

But Mr Philp warned: "We face an existential crisis at our borders.

Precipice

"Hollow slogans and empty rhetoric simply won't cut it.

"Since Labour took power last year, the number of small boat arrivals has surged.