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One migrant crossed the Channel EVERY SIX MINUTES in the first week of October, new figures reveal

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

One migrant crossed the Channel EVERY SIX MINUTES in the first week of October, new figures reveal

A total of 1,739 migrants made the 21-mile Channel crossing between October 1 and October 7, new Home Office figures show. Monday alone saw 609 people arrive in eight vessels, with an average of 76 migrants packed onto each inflatable dinghy. This year's running total has now reached 20,935 crossings, with the surge landing squarely on Andy Burnham's desk weeks into his premiership.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp condemned Labour for leaving borders 'wide open', warning illegal migrants 'go on to commit horrific crimes.'

MoreThe TelegraphOne migrant crossed Channel every six minutes in first week of OctoberGB NewsOne migrant crosses Channel every SIX MINUTES during first week of October as Andy Burnham faces small boat surgeThe SunOne migrant crossed the Channel every six minutes during first week of October, new figures show
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