Dozens of migrants have arrived in the UK by small boat this morning - as the total number of crossings for the year approaches 4,000.
UK authorities have intercepted or rescued 3,897 people in 126 boats so far this year, according to official Home Office figures.
The number of migrant arrivals is expected to continue rising as the warmer weather brings calm conditions at sea.
The first group of migrants arrived in Dover, Kent, around 10am on board HMC Seeker - one of the Border Force's larger vessels.
A second, smaller, group reached the UK around the same time on a black Border Force rib - carrying approximately seven people.
Shortly after 11am a third group of migrants were escorted into the Port of Dover on Border Force ship Hurricane.
The latest arrivals could be seen sporting life jackets and blankets as they approached British soil.
Dozens of migrants have arrived in the UK by small boat this morning (pictured) - as the total number of crossings for the year approaches 4,000
UK authorities have intercepted or rescued 3,897 people in 126 boats so far this year (pictured today), according to official Home Office figures
The number of migrant arrivals is expected to continue rising as the warmer weather brings calm conditions at sea.
Pictured: Migrants arriving in Kent today
The first group of migrants arrived in Dover, Kent, around 10am on board HMC Seeker - one of the Border Force's larger vessels
A second, Şirinevler Escort smaller, group reached the UK around the same time on a black Border Force rib - carrying approximately seven people
Wednesday saw a relatively quiet day for migrant crossings, with just 59 people making the journey across the Channel on three boats.
One of those boats was a small green dinghy designed for children, which four men are believed to have rowed across the 21-mile Dover Strait.
It comes after 900 people attempted the treacherous trip on Tuesday.
Border Force officials and RNLI volunteers intercepted or rescued 394 people in 11 boats - just 11 less people than the 405 record for a single day this year.
The total number of migrants to arrive in the UK so far this year was not hit until June 1 in 2021.
Shortly after 11am a third group of migrants were escorted into the Port of Dover on Border Force ship Hurricane.
The latest arrivals could be seen sporting life jackets and blankets as they approached British soil
The total number of migrants to arrive in the UK so far this year was not hit until June 1 in 2021.
Pictured: A group walking up the shore today
A migrant grins and holds out his arms as he makes it to the UK shore on Thursday morning
The huge group of migrants on the RNLI boat were greeted by staff as they arrived in Dungeness in Kent on Thursday morning
March has seen 2,413 migrants arrive in 75 boats - more than the total number of people who made the dangerous 21-mile journey in January, February, March and April combined last year, and almost triple the 831 who arrived in the entirety of March in 2021.
Pictured: Migrants today
March has seen 2,413 migrants arrive in 75 boats - more than the total number of people who made the dangerous 21-mile journey in January, February, March and April combined last year, and almost triple the 831 who arrived in the entirety of March in 2021.
Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.
'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes.
Rightly, the British public has had enough.
'Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we're cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.'
Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable'
He added: 'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes.
Rightly, the British public has had enough.' Pictured: Migrants with their belongings today