Authorities processed 13,489 migrants arriving in the UK in the first six months of this year, up 18% on the same period last year and the highest ever number for a first half of the year, according to ministry figures.

Of these, around 81% of illegal migrants arrived in the UK by small boat in the first half of 2024. Afghans were by far the largest group (18%) of illegal small boat migrants arriving in the UK, followed by Iranians.

British authorities have repeatedly warned that people smuggling gangs organising sea crossings are using new tactics such as using larger boats to carry more people.

Immediately after taking office, new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to crack down on human trafficking gangs, considering this a key focus in the strategy to deal with the problem of illegal immigrants coming to the country.

This is a hot-button issue in the UK and has occasionally sparked violent anti-immigration protests. Such riots have recently occurred in England and Northern Ireland, with crowds calling on the government to stop illegal migrants arriving by boat to the UK.

The riots were sparked by a knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport, northern England, in late July that left three children dead and 10 seriously injured. However, before the identity of the suspect was confirmed, false claims were circulating on social media that the suspect was a Muslim who had arrived in the UK illegally by boat and was seeking asylum.