Smugglers Take Advantage of UK’s Bad Weather as Small Boats Cross Channel in Thick Fog

People smugglers seem to be taking advantage of the UK’s bad weather, with small boat crossings across the English Channel continuing today despite heavy fog. 

According to DailyMail.co.uk, pictures show the Dungeness lifeboat bringing several people, believed to have been rescued from a small boat, into Dover port.

This comes after arrivals were recorded on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and December 27. It’s the first time since 2018 that crossings have taken place on all three days during the festive season. 

Government data shows that 305 people arrived in the UK by small boats yesterday, bringing the week’s total to 1,163.

On December 26, 407 arrivals were recorded, which pushed the total number of crossings from France since January 2018 to over 150,000. This sparked fresh debates among politicians about who is responsible for the numbers. 

A Home Office source blamed the previous government, calling it “an appalling legacy of broken border security.” Meanwhile, Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Labour is at fault for ending the Rwanda deportation scheme. 

“Labour’s actions are failing the British people,” Philp told DailyMail.co.uk. “In 2023, Conservatives cut small boat crossings by a third, but the numbers are now rising because Starmer scrapped key measures like the Rwanda deterrent before it even started.” 

Philp argued that the Rwanda plan would have acted as a strong deterrent, similar to policies in Australia. “The British people deserve better than a government that cannot or will not stop illegal crossings,” he added. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has focused on working with European law enforcement to tackle smuggling gangs. He recently told DailyMail.co.uk that he aims to “smash the gangs” and reduce illegal arrivals. 

The issue remains a major challenge, with both sides blaming each other for the continued crossings.