The decrease in the number of small boat crossings to Britain is recognized as a major success in the efforts of the police and relevant agencies. According to official statistics, the number of individuals entering Britain in the first half of 2026 has decreased by 41% compared to the previous year.
Increase in Arrests and Seizures
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has stated that this decrease has been accompanied by a significant increase in arrests and seizures. According to the NCA, in addition, other factors such as unstable demand for crossing the Channel and the prevention of boat launches by French authorities have also played a role in this reduction.
Mehniya Koybus, a senior researcher at the Oxford University Migration Observatory, has stated that separating the impacts of government policies and other factors on small boat entries is nearly impossible. She also noted that recent changes in policies are likely to have altered the behavior of traffickers and migrants.
Impacts of New Restrictions
Koybus added that new restrictions regarding family reunification for refugees and a decrease in the asylum grant rate may have been influential. Additionally, weather conditions and climate backgrounds have also been mentioned as effective factors in the fluctuations of the number of boat crossings from France and Belgium.
Rob Jones, the NCA's Director of Operations, has announced that the agency has allocated more resources than ever to combat organized immigration crime. He emphasized that despite these advancements, there is still much work to be done, and pressure on criminal gangs must continue.
The NCA has also reported that organized crime groups have been affected by restrictions on the supply of necessary equipment for boat crossings. Since late 2023, over 1,600 boats or engines have been seized, and the wholesale cost of these items has also increased.
Decrease in Deaths in the Channel
According to statistics, in 2025, 41,472 migrants crossed to Britain via small boats, and in the same year, 24 confirmed deaths related to Channel crossings were recorded, a decrease from 73 in the previous year. Additionally, between 2018 and 2025, a total of 162 people lost their lives in the Channel.
Analyses indicate that in 2025, unauthorized border crossings decreased by 26%, and this figure reached 37% in the first half of 2026. This is likely to lead to a reduction in the number of unauthorized crossings to Britain, as most small boat migrants arrive at the northern French shores via the European Union.
