Small boat migrant numbers hit humiliating milestone on new Home Secretary's first day

Almost 1,100 migrants crossed the Channel on Shabana Mahmood's first day as Home Secretary, new figures revealed.

Some 1,097 were detected on 17 boats, taking the total this year past 30,000.

It will heap pressure on the new Home Secretary to come up with a plan to stop the Channel migrant crisis from spiralling even further out of control.

It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been hit.

This is up 37% on this point last year (22,028) and 37% higher than at this stage in 2023 (21,918).

Shabana Mahmood Home Secretary said:"These small boats crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders.

"Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can now be detained and removed to France and I expect the first returns to take place imminently.

"Protecting the UK border is my priority as Home Secretary and I will explore all options to restore order to our immigration system."

Defence Secretary John Healey said the Armed Forces have been drafted in to help "restore control of our borders".

Military planners are scrambling to find barracks to house asylum seekers and "accelerate" the closure of migrant hotels.

This is a breaking story. More to follow.