London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Fewer than 100 migrants arrested for arriving in UK illegally

Fewer than 100 migrants arrested for arriving in UK illegally

Fewer than 100 people who crossed the English Channel in small boats have been arrested for arriving illegally in the UK under a new power to deter them.

The figure represents 0.3% of those who have crossed since the law was changed.

Under the new law, anyone who arrives in the UK without proper permission or good reason commits a crime that can lead to up to four years in prison.

The BBC sought the figure under freedom of information laws after the Home Office declined to disclose it.

A spokesman for the department said there has been a further 180 arrests since the summer under different immigration laws.

The new offence of knowingly arriving without permission was part of a package of measures in the Home Office's Nationality and Borders Act, passed earlier this year.

Its creation coincided with ministers increasingly referring to illegal migrants crossing the Channel - a claim hotly disputed by refugee groups. They say the term is misleading and fails to acknowledge the complex reasons for crossings and the legal right to seek protection.

The government had said the law would deter migrants from risking their lives and help to secure the country's borders.

In November, the BBC asked the Home Office how many of the migrants were suspected of arriving illegally under this new offence.

It refused to say - but has now disclosed the figures following a Freedom of Information request.

The new offence came into force on 28 June.

That means anyone turning up in Kent after that date could in theory face arrest and prosecution for illegal arrival.

Between then and mid-November, when we asked for the figures, approximately 29,400 people arrived in small boats.

Of those, the Home Office has now confirmed that:

* 96 were arrested on suspicion of committing the new crime of illegal arrival - 0.3% of the total.

* Some 78 were later charged with the crime

* So far, 56 of them have been convicted.


New crime to 'deter' migrants


During the law's passage through Parliament, ministers told MPs that the new crime would "deter migrants from risking their lives" and help to take back control of the borders.

At the same time, Parliament was told the new crime would not target people who were "genuine refugees" - and over the course of the year almost 90% of those who have arrived have sought asylum.

A spokesman for the Home Office said the new illegal arrival offence was just one important tool to combat people smugglers.

"Our Nationality and Borders Act is beginning to break through this exploitative business model, with more than 280 people already arrested since it became law.

"The figures referenced only detail those arrested for illegal arrival not illegal entry or anyone arrested for a breach of a deportation order under the new act."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
×