French officials have warned that more migrant boats will attempt long-distance crossings to Britain's South Coast after a "mega-dinghy" carrying 140 people reached Portsmouth, a route far from the usual Calais-to-Dover corridor. The Home Office recorded 625 arrivals on Sunday, the highest daily figure since 29 July, and the landing triggered clashes between protesters and police, prompting border experts to urge officials to prepare for a wider escalation of Channel crossings along the South Coast.

The 46ft dinghy left an isolated, unpatrolled beach near Jobourg in Normandy and travelled roughly 70 miles before its outboard motor failed 14 miles offshore; passengers, including 20 women and eight young children, refused rescue and continued after a second motor was restarted, completing a 14-hour crossing under escort from French and British vessels and aircraft. A French interior ministry source said smugglers were shifting operations westward as it becomes harder to launch from Pas-de-Calais, while former borders inspector David Neal called on the Home Office to draw up detailed plans for handling arrivals further along the coast.