Migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats - monthly data
The MOD took operational command of responding to small boat crossings in the English Channel on 14 April 2022, this returned to the Home Office on 31 January 2023.
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Details
The MOD took operational command of responding to small boat crossings in the English Channel on 14 April 2022. This returned to the Home Office on 31 January 2023. Data from 31 January 2023 can be found in Migrants Detected Crossing the English Channel in Small Boats
The data may differ from:
- daily figures published by the Home Office, although total arrivals over long time periods should be similar
- figures published in the final official statistics on Irregular migration to the UK, which will have undergone a more thorough quality assurance process
Definition of a small boat
A ‘small boat’ is one of a number of vessels used by individuals who cross the English Channel, with the aim of gaining entry to the UK without a visa or permission to enter – either directly by landing in the UK or having been intercepted at sea by the authorities and brought ashore. The most common small vessels detected making these types of crossings are rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), dinghies and kayaks.
About the data
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Data are provisional management information from live operational systems and are subject to change, including reduction.
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Finalised and authoritative data on small boat arrivals will be included in the quarterly Irregular migration to the UK release.
The UK data includes individuals who:
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are detected on arrival in the UK
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are detected in the Channel by UK authorities and subsequently brought to the UK
These data do not include individuals who:
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arrive in the UK on larger vessels, such as go-fast craft, yachts, motor cruisers, tugs and fishing vessels – although these are rarely used by irregular migrants at present
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arrive in the UK clandestinely on larger vessels not referenced above, including where hidden in a vehicle on a ferry
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arrive in the UK undetected, or where there have been reports of people making the crossing, but no actual encounters
Related information
Migrants detected crossing the English channel in small boats
Updates to this page
Last updated 1 February 2023 + show all updates
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Added: Monthly number of migrants detected in small boats - 1 January to 31 January 2023 - HTML attachment and information about where the data will be published from February 1 2023.
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Added: Monthly number of migrants detected in small boats - 1 December to 31 December 2022
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Added: 'Monthly number of migrants detected in small boats – 1 November to 30 November 2022'
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Added: 'Monthly number of migrants detected in small boats – 1 October to 31 October 2022'
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Added: 'Monthly number of migrants detected in small boats – 1 August to 31 August 2022' and 'Monthly number of migrants detected in small boats – 1 September to 30 September 2022
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First published.