A TOTAL of 656 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday — the most on a single day this year.
It means 8,064 have made the journey since January 1 — a 46 per cent increase on the same period last year.
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On Friday, 180 people arrived, while Border Force escorted more migrants into Dover the next day.
The French coastguard said migrants on one boat in difficulty on Saturday refused assistance and continued their journey.
But it did rescue 50 other who got into trouble and took them to Calais.
The Government is under huge pressure to reduce the numbers after axing the Tories’ Rwanda plan and pouring millions into a Border Security Command to tackle smuggling gangs.
READ MORE ON CHANNEL CROSSINGS
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told The Sun that Sir Keir Starmer has “lost control of our borders” and that his pledge to smash the gangs is “in tatters”.
Hitting out at Labour for axing the Rwanda deportation plan, he said: “We have been badly let down by a weak Prime Minister more interested in pleasing his human rights lawyer friends than protecting our borders from illegal immigrants.
“The crossings are not only illegal, they’re unnecessary as France is a safe country.”
Reform’s deputy Richard Tice added: “Keir Starmer promised to smash the gangs upon entering office, yet all he’s done is smash his promise.”
The Sun can reveal ministers’ latest attempt to curb crossings involves sanctioning firms that sell small boats to the criminals.
The Foreign Office is partnering with the marine sector to spot red flags for potential smugglers buying boats — such as large cash payments for equipment.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told The Sun that “no stone will be left unturned” to bear down on the companies supplying the trade.
Mr Lammy said: “Tackling irregular migration is mission critical for the Foreign Office, in particular working with host countries to disrupt upstream migration.”
France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has admitted his country needs to do more to turn back the dinghies.
The French have long been criticised for escorting the boats into British waters, even from the shallows of their own coast.
The Home Office said: “We all want to end dangerous small-boat crossings which threaten lives and undermine border security.”
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