Before this weekend, 2024 had already seen a record high in crossings(Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

More than 5000 migrants have made the journey across the English channel this year, with 800 crossing this Easter bank holiday weekend.

791 people made the journey from Saturday, March 30 to Sunday, March 31, according to Home Office figures.

The previous record high figure for January to March was 4,548, with 3,793 arriving in the first four months of last year.

In one of his five pledges, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said he had planned to ‘stop the boats’ ahead of an expected general election later this year

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