After hundreds of illegal migrants arrived on the Kent coast by boat for two consecutive days, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered an immediate analysis of the situation. She noted that border control forces failed to prevent the arrival of the boats on Monday and Tuesday, which is unacceptable.
Shabana Mahmood instructed the Border Security Command to investigate the causes of the incident and develop measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. According to her, improved surveillance has significantly reduced cases of border crossings without hindrance, but any such situation is considered excessive.
The situation became evident after a boat reached Dover beach in the Samphirehoe Beach area, where the Border Security Command detained 21 people. Typically, migrants crossing the English Channel are brought ashore either by the Border Security Command or by Royal National Lifeboat Institution vessels.
Shabana Mahmood also stated that smugglers have changed their methods. They are now launching smaller boats from France and from more western areas. She emphasized that this indicates the smugglers' disregard for human lives and sending people on longer and more dangerous routes.
She added that the UK's efforts are influencing the smugglers' activities, making it harder for them to launch boats. Official data shows that before this week's incidents in September 2025, only one small unescorted boat arrived on the UK coast.
Shadow Home Secretary for the Conservative Party, Chris Philp, called these events 'a free-for-all'. He accused the UK border security system of descending into chaos and stated that France is also not making sufficient efforts to stop the boats.
To date this year, approximately 17,784 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats to enter the UK. Nevertheless, the expected figure for 2026 is 45 percent lower compared to last year. Following the arrival of boats on the Kent coast for two consecutive days, the government initiated an inquiry.