The number of unofficial migrant arrivals in the UK by boat has now passed 24,500 so far this year as of Thursday, July 31st. In the latest spike, Border Force intercepted two boats in UK waters, each carrying over 90 migrants. Approximately 900 people landed on UK shores on Thursday alone.
With the total expected to surpass 25,000 next month, the political pressure is likely to intensify. The current figure is already over 50% higher than this time last year. The tally, compiled by GB News, typically takes several days to be verified by the government as official data.
In a separate development, the National Crime Agency (NCA) reported a success after helping to seize a shipment of inflatable boats at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing in Bulgaria. The lorry was transporting 25 boats intended for use by smuggling gangs operating in the English Channel. Many of the boats were designed to carry 50 to 60 people, often overcrowded.
Jacque Beer—NCA Regional Head of Investigation—stated that
This was a significant seizure, with these vessels destined for use by the organised crime groups running small boat crossings from France to the UK.
