No Channel crossings for 26 days - the longest period in five years

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images.

Migrants crossing the English Channel have been reported for the first time in 2024 - the first crossing in 26 days.

Arrivals have not been recorded since 16 December, according to Home Office figures, with poor weather conditions potentially contributing to the lack of activity at sea.

On Saturday, a group of people believed to be migrants were brought to shore in Dover, Kent, in the morning.

They were seen arriving in a Border Force vessel.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover. Credit: PA

Previously there were 26 days of no crossings to the UK recorded up until January 11.

This was the longest gap in small boat arrivals for five years.

The provisional annual total for 2023, 29,437, is 36% lower than the record 45,774 crossings for the whole of 2022.

It is still the second highest annual total on record, above the figure for 2021 (28,526).

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...