Four in five migrants successful

EIGHTY per cent of the migrants who board small boats in France to make the perilous journey across the Channel are successful in their quest, figures have revealed.

- Isaac Crowson

A deep analysis of crossing data for the first time shows a staggeringly high success rate of four in five completing the 21-mile sea voyage during the past three years.

This comes despite Britain spending millions on improving French defences at freight and passenger ports such as Calais.

And the research also found the number of migrants risking their lives by clambering aboard flimsy boats has soared from 37 in 2022, to 45 in 2023 and last year.

56 The figures have been calculated by French politicians who analysed crossing attempts over that period of time, and also used police and emergency service records.