Urgent review after two migrant boats reach shore
BBC News reports on an urgent review ordered by the Home Secretary following the unprecedented arrival of two migrant boats on Kent beaches.
Background
The review was initiated after:
- Two boats reached the shore at Samphire Hoe between Dover and Folkestone on Tuesday, with 21 individuals detained.
- Another boat landed near Folkestone on Monday, marking the first undetected landing in over a year. Five people were detained.
Previous Trends
Before Monday, no small boats had been recorded as arriving in the UK without escort since 6 September 2025.
Government Response
A government spokesperson stated:
"Border Security Command officers alongside Kent Police have been responding to an incident in Dover... Twenty-one individuals have already been detained under a swift enforcement response... There is a thorough investigation ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further."
Context
Migrants typically arrive by boat under the escort of Border Security Command or the RNLI. The recent arrivals highlight a significant increase in cross-Channel crossings this year, with 17,784 migrants reaching the UK as of 23 September 2026, a 44.7% decrease from the same period in 2025.