CHANNEL migrant crossings have reached 11,074 so far this year, the earliest this figure has been recorded, according to Home Office figures.
On Wednesday, 294 people made the journey in five boats, just two days after 473 arrived on Monday, pushing the total for 2025 to 10,358 at that time.
This marks the second milestone passed in record time this week. The 10,000 mark was reached earlier than in 2024 and 2023, when it was crossed on May 24 and June 17 respectively.
The 11,000 milestone was not reached until June 6 in 2024 and June 23 in 2023.
So far this year, 1,436 migrants have crossed in four days. The 2025 total is 46 per cent higher than the same point last year (7,567) and 86 per cent higher than in 2023 (5,946).
The Telegraph reported that crossings under prime minister Keir Starmer are higher than under any of his Conservative predecessors, except Liz Truss.
The increase has been linked to improved weather and smugglers placing more people in each dinghy. The Telegraph reported the average number per boat under Starmer is 55, compared to 48 under Rishi Sunak and 26 under Boris Johnson.
The Home Office said boat shortages due to enforcement have led gangs to use fewer boats with more people. A spokesperson said the Government is boosting border security, enforcement powers, and cooperation with France.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp told the Telegraph that Labour had “absolutely no plan to stop these crossings” and criticised the cancellation of the Rwanda deterrent.
He said: “The Labour Government has surrendered our borders to the people smugglers.”
The figures were released as voters took part in local elections on Thursday, Labour’s first electoral test since the July 2024 general election.
Sir Anwar cutting the cake during Bestway group’s 32nd annual charity day last Friday (20)
King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot
Lord Tariq Ahmad
Lord Jitesh Gadhia and Lord Zameer Choudrey
Guests at the Pavilion restaurant
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)