Number of likely days for Channel crossings double

DAYS when weather conditions are considered favourable for Channel crossings by migrants have been running at more than double those in previous years, Home Office data shows.

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There were 60 so-called “red” days between January 1 and April 30 this year, when factors such as wind, wave height and rain meant crossings were classed by officials as “likely” or “highly likely”. Some 11,074 migrants arrived in the UK during these four months after crossing the Channel.

By contrast, there were 27 red days in the same period last year, less than half the number, with 7,567 arrivals recorded - nearly a third lower than this year.

There were 27 red days in the first four months of 2022, and 23 red days in 2023, with 6,691 and 5,946 arrivals in these periods, respectively.