Weekly summary of small boat arrivals and preventions
Updated 20 May 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats/weekly-summary-of-small-boat-arrivals-and-preventions
This page shows the latest consolidated weekly figures for irregular migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats without permission to enter the UK.
Week ending 12 May 2024
| Migrants arrived | Boats arrived | Migrants prevented | Events prevented |
|---|---|---|---|
| 879 | 17 | 484 | 19 |
For journalists
See the latest press statement on small boat crossings.
A longer time series of daily arrival numbers from 1 January 2018 and weekly small boat preventions data from 29 April 2024 is also available.
These statistics are taken from provisional UK and French operational data and are subject to change. The small boat arrivals figures may differ from figures published in the final official statistics on Irregular migration to the UK, which will have undergone a more thorough quality assurance process.
The quarterly Irregular migration to the UK statistical release presents final and authoritative statistics on small boat arrivals.
About the data
Definition of a small boat
A ‘small boat’ is one of a number of vessels used by individuals who cross the English Channel, with the aim of gaining entry to the UK without a visa or permission to enter – either directly by landing in the UK or having been intercepted at sea by the authorities and brought ashore. The most common small vessels detected making these types of crossings are rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), dinghies and kayaks.
The data on arrivals includes individuals who:
- are detected on arrival in the UK
- are detected in the Channel by UK authorities and subsequently brought to the UK
The data on arrivals does not include individuals who:
- arrive in the UK on larger vessels, such as go-fast craft, yachts, motor cruisers, tugs and fishing vessels – although these are rarely used by irregular migrants at present
- arrive in the UK clandestinely on larger vessels not referenced above, including where hidden in a vehicle on a ferry
- are prevented from departing France, or those intercepted by French authorities and returned to France
- arrive in the UK undetected, or where there have been reports of people making the crossing, but no actual encounters
Data on preventions are operational estimates collected and provided to the UK by French authorities.
The data on preventions for migrants includes:
- individuals who are prevented from departing France, or those who return to France
The data on events includes:
- boats that are prevented from departing France or return to France
- finds of general maritime equipment
- arrests of facilitators linked to small boats crossings
The data on preventions does not include:
- general dispersal of migrants
Related information
Irregular migration to the UK: quarterly data on small boat crossings and other irregular migration routes from 2018 onwards.
Migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats - monthly data: data on daily small boat crossings, from 14 April 2022 to 30 January 2023 (historic data published by Ministry of Defence; not updated).