More than 33,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year

More than 33,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, official government figures have revealed.

Data released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said 33,001 people have been intercepted making the journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in 2022.

The number of migrants arriving in the UK this year has already far exceeded 2021's official total of 28,526.

In 2020 just 8,410 made the crossing of the 21-mile Dover Straits, according to government figures.