More than 600 migrants arrived in the UK in the first four days of July

More than 600 migrants have made the crossing to English shores by small boat in the first four days of July.

As the Channel crisis continues to escalate, 676 arrivals were recorded from Thursday to Sunday - eclipsing the 531 who made the journey in January and February combined.

It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel announced heavier prison sentences for migrants seeking to make their way to the UK on small boats, as well as their people-smuggling enablers.

The total figure for 2020 – 8,417 – could be eclipsed within two months if the number of crossings seen in July and August last year are repeated, analysis has shown.