Home Politics Number of migrants crossing Channel falls to ZERO since Rwanda scheme was...

Number of migrants crossing Channel falls to ZERO since Rwanda scheme was announced

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THE number of migrants crossing the Channel has fallen to zero in the days following the announcement they will be sent to Rwanda.

None made the dangerous 21-mile trek for at least eight days, figures show.

The number of migrants crossing the Channel has fallen to zero in the days following the announcement they will be sent to Rwanda

Home Secretary Priti Patel signed the landmark deal with the African country on April 14 — a day which saw more than 500 people in 15 small boats make it to Britain.

The agreement, set to see thousands of migrants who do not qualify for asylum flown out, is aimed at hitting the deadly trade in human trafficking as well as protecting UK borders.

Last night Government insiders put the immediate drop down to high winds in the Channel and said they fear summer months will see a return to record numbers.

But No10 insisted: “We are confident that the approach which is in the process of being set up will help break the business model which is seeing criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people.

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“We want to get this operational as soon as possible and we hope to make the first flights shortly.”

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It means it is now a criminal offence to arrive in the UK illegally.

More than 5,000 have made the crossing so far this year.