A record number of migrants arrived in the UK in August, with more than 8,000 making the perilous journey across the Channel.
During the 31-day period, 8,644 people made the crossing on 189 boats, with journeys taking place on 21 of those days, PA news agency analysis of government figures showed.
It is the highest monthly total since current records began in 2018, beating the previous record set in November 2021 of 6,971.
The new figures come after the government removed 27 foreign criminals and five immigration offenders on a charter flight to Albania.
Meanwhile, the National Crime Agency said it is running about 60 investigations into criminals using small boats to smuggle thousands of people into the UK.
The highest daily crossing total on record took place on August 22, with 1,295 people making the trip in 27 boats.
Migrant crossings on the English Channel surge amid heatwave — in pictures
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The number of migrants crossing the English Channel from northern Europe has reached record-breaking figures as people in Britain are experiencing an exceptionally hot summer. PA -
A lady carries a toddler to a bus after a group of people thought to be migrants were brought in to Dover, Kent, on the south-east English coast. PA -
A group of migrants are brought in to Ramsgate, Kent, on August 1 - the day on which almost 700 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK in a single day, a record for the year so far. PA -
It was only the second time in 2022 that the daily figure has topped 600. PA -
A woman carries a newborn baby in a life cradle as she is brought in to Dover on a Border Force vessel in July. PA -
About 3,683 migrants made the crossing on 90 boats in July, the highest monthly total this year. PA -
A warehouse in Dover for boats used by people trying to cross the Channel. PA -
Migrants hold up an inflatable boat before attempting to cross the Channel to Britain, near the northern French city of Gravelines, in July. AFP -
A police officer stands guard on the beach at Dungeness, England, as migrants get off a lifeboat after they were picked up at sea in June. AFP -
A group of people thought to be migrants walk up the beach after being brought in to Dungeness in May. AP -
Migrants on the beach at Dungeness, after crossing the English Channel in an inflatable dinghy in January. Reuters
More than 25,000 people have made the crossing in 2022 so far, official Home Office figures and provisional data collected by the Ministry of Defence show.
Last week, Home Secretary Priti Patel struck a deal with the Albanian government to step up police activity and fast-track removals in a bid to tackle crossings after numbers increased “substantially” over the past few months.
Up to 60 per cent of arrivals are now thought to be from the south-eastern European country.
The Home Office said one of the people returned on Thursday’s flight to Albania was removed 24 days after “entering the UK illegally” by crossing the Channel.
Another person was removed 19 days after being caught by immigration officers working in a restaurant, having overstayed as a visitor, and another had arrived hidden in a lorry in May.
Afghan migrant documents dangerous journey across Channel — video
Among the foreign criminals were those convicted of supplying class A drugs, enabling illegal entry and sexual offences.
It is more than four months since Ms Patel unveiled plans to send migrants to Rwanda in a bid to deter people from crossing the Channel.
Since then, 19,775 people have made the crossing to the UK.
UK announces plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda — video
On April 14, Ms Patel signed what she described as a “world first” agreement with Rwanda, but the first deportation flight — due to take off on June 14 — was grounded amid legal challenges.
Several asylum seekers, the Public and Commercial Services union, and charities Care4Calais, Detention Action and Asylum Aid are challenging the legality of the Home Office policy, with the next court hearings due to take place from Monday.
Campaigners called on the government to abandon the plan and free those awaiting removal from detention.
Inside a refugee camp in Rwanda — video
Medical Justice said torture and trafficking victims are among those being told they could be sent to the East African nation, assessments by its doctors showed.
The charity argued the health and well-being of the detainees has been “severely” affected by the policy and, for some, it has “increased their risk of self-harm and suicide”.
The Home Office disputed the findings and insisted “no one will be relocated if it is unsafe or inappropriate for them, and our thorough assessment of Rwanda has found that it is a fundamentally safe and secure country, with a track record of supporting asylum seekers”.
