Nigel Farage erupts as number of migrants arriving in UK on small boats hits 150,000

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned of a 'genuine threat to national security' (Image: Getty)

More than 150,000 migrants have now crossed the English Channel in small boats.

Home Office figures show that 407 people made the dangerous journey from France on Boxing Day.

It means 150,243 arrivals have been recorded since the start of 2018.

On Christmas Day, more than 450 people crossed the Channel in 11 boats.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told the Express: "This number is not only a disgrace but poses a genuine threat to national security."

Migrants attempt to cross the English Channel on Christmas Day (Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)

The annual number of arrivals stood at just 299 in 2018, before climbing to 1,843 in 2019, 8,466 in 2020, 28,526 in 2021 and a record 45,774 in 2022.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to "smash the gangs" that facilitate the small boat crossings.

As part of this work, he has set up a new Border Security Command and is trying to work more closely with the UK's European neighbours to pull apart organised crime gangs involved in people smuggling.

But the PM has faced criticism from the Tories for scrapping the Rwanda deportation scheme.