The UK has had its quietest August for small boat crossings since 2021. There were a total of 3,567 arrivals by small boat on our shores in August, according to the latest figures from the Home Office.

That was down from 5,454 and 5,170 in July and June respectively, despite August traditionally seeing higher numbers of arrivals than other summer months. In fact, last month was the quietest August since the country was still dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last year, there were 4,149 arrivals by small boats in August. In 2023, the total was 5,369, and in 2022, there were 8,631, the highest total of any month on record.

Back in August 2021, there were a total of 3,053 arrivals by small boat, while in August 2020, there were 1,470, and in August 2019, there were 342.

Despite the drop

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