Migrant small-boat crossings to UK hit record levels
The number of small boats carrying migrants from northern France to Britain hit record levels last month, with 568 migrants making the perilous journey in the last four days of the month.
Rising numbers of migrant crossings are putting UK border officials under strain, with Home Office staff warning of working 20-hour shifts to process new arrivals.
Official figures for the first four months of 2021 show that 2,108 migrants made the crossing, more than double the figure for the same period in 2020.
“There are not enough staff, not enough space and not enough resources…” said Lucy Moreton of ISU, the union for borders, immigration and customs staff.
“We are dependent on volunteer medical support,” said Moreton. “Staff face appallingly long hours most of the time. Shifts running up to 20 hours are not uncommon. We are deeply disturbed by that. It is not acceptable.”
