Nearly 1,000 migrants cross Channel after three-week pause

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 1 Nov, 08:39 · Archive

Nearly 1,000 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK in two days after a three-week pause in arrivals. On Friday, 671 people in nine boats made the journey to Britain. This followed 263 people in three boats crossing on Thursday, breaking a 21-day hiatus marking the longest spell without arrivals this year. The pause had been caused by high sea swell and wind in the Channel.

Better weather brought calmer crossing conditions that enabled the resumption of crossings. Several children were among a large group of people wearing life-jackets who were brought ashore in Dover, Kent.

Footage captured on Friday showed a man wielding a knife in waist-deep water as he threatened migrants before boarding a dinghy. A man aboard the boat attempted to hit him with a boot. As the man in the water drew his arm back, he appeared to drop the knife into the sea and moments later boarded the UK-bound boat. A call of 'I will kill you' was heard as French rescue boats hovered in the background.

The total number of arrivals for 2026 stood at 21,869 after Friday, according to Home Office figures. With just over two months of the year remaining, and with crossings typically lower during late autumn and winter, the data suggests the total number of crossings in 2026 is unlikely to surpass the figure for 2025.

How it is being reported

• More than 1,200 migrants cross Channel in four days as at least three more boats set off for Britain todayMore than 1,200 migrants have crossed the Channel in four days as at least three more boats set off for British shores today, GB News can reveal. The total of small boat migrants who made the illegal crossing over Thursday, Friday and Saturday surged, with the Home Office yet to confirm the total. Yesterday, Shabana Mahmood's department admitted 934 illegal migrants arrived on the south coast in 12 boats on Thursday and Friday. And, so far today, 78 migrants have been picked up in the Channel and taken Dover by Border Force vessel Defender, just after 6am. GB News understands that at least…GB News · 1 Nov, 08:35
• Nearly 1,000 migrants cross Channel in two days after three-week pauseSome 671 people in nine boats made the journey to Britain on Friday, when footage captured a man wielding a knife as he threatened migrants.Evening Standard · 31 Oct, 13:56
• Nearly 1,000 migrants cross Channel to the UK in two days after three-week pauseSome 671 people in nine boats made the journey to Britain on FridayThe Independent · 31 Oct, 13:40
• Small boats carrying 400 migrants cross Channel as Andy Burnham's reaches grim milestoneAt least six small boats carrying 400 migrants have crossed into British waters today, GB News can exclusively reveal. The new wave of arrivals came just hours after 263 crossed on October 29, breaking a two-week dry spell due to torrid conditions in the English Channel. More than 9,000 small boat migrants have completed the 21-mile journey since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July 2026. The total number of crossings under Labour now stands at 86,312, which is larger than the population of towns such as Guildford and Grimsby. MORE TO FOLLOW... TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say LATEST…GB News · 30 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Dover · Kent · Channel · UK · France · Home Office

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