Almost 3,800 migrants camp between Calais and Dunkirk awaiting crossings to Britain

French authorities estimate that almost 3,800 migrants are staying in camps between Calais and Dunkirk while trying to reach Britain by small boat, around twice the usual number. Border Security Commander Duncan Capps told MPs that the figure reflects both strong intent to cross and increased difficulty getting boats to sea, while the National Crime Agency said the fall in crossings suggests smugglers’ business model is under pressure.

Capps said people typically make seven or eight attempts before crossing, and those stopped by French patrols are free to try again. Small boat crossings so far this year are just under 21,000, down 43 per cent on the same point last year; crossing fees are typically £840 to £1,700 per person, while a dinghy costs smugglers about £14,000. The repeated attempts also raise questions about how the Home Office counts its claim that more than 50,000 crossing attempts have been prevented since the 2024 General Election.