Figures show that more than 550 migrants sneak into Britain via the Channel for every small boat captain caught and jailed.
Fewer than 200 smuggler thugs guiding small boats through the Channel between the start of 2022 and mid-October have been locked up – despite 104,000 migrants landing on Dover's shores.
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Only 188 people have been jailed by the Home Office's immigration department for directing overcrowded boats from Calais since the start of 2018, and only four have been jailed for links to organized gangs.
This means one fraudster convicted for every 552 migrants entering the UK via Dover.
The figures were revealed following a parliamentary question asked by Northern Irish Lord Reg Impey.
In response, Home Office Minister Lord Hanson said: “From January 2022 to 23 October 2024, the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Directorate convicted 188 individuals identified as small boat pilots, and four individuals for their involvement in organized crime gangs linked to small boat crime.”
This comes after more than 1,000 migrants crossed last week, including 237 on Friday.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has promised to crush people smuggling gangs who charge asylum seekers up to £5,000 for the dangerous crossing.
More than 50 people have died during the treks this year alone.
Among the pilots already jailed this year is Chol Van Meeker – who was jailed for just a year and eight months for piloting a small boat packed with 50 migrants.
Meeker, 31, was photographed with his hand on the boom of the rubber boat as he steered the overcrowded craft towards our shores last August.
Border Force officials intercepted the boat with 52 people on board and arrested them.
He admitted illegal arrival and assistance in illegal immigration.
Former Conservative security minister Sir John Hayes said: “The last government failed to tackle this and this government is making it worse.
“At least the Conservative government was trying to introduce the Rwanda scheme – which was a disincentive to crossing the Channel
“But why wouldn't they do it now? The figures show they are unlikely to be arrested, and its connection to the European Convention on Human Rights means they will not be deported.
“The government should take immediate action and implement model provisions.
“Word travels fast in these circles, and if people know they face many years in prison for boating, they will be less inclined to do so.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last week praised the arrest of a suspected people smuggling kingpin in Amsterdam.
The Turkish national, 44, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of stockpiling cheap inflatable boats in Germany for transport to France.
He faces the risk of being extradited to Belgium to stand trial.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine the security of our borders.
“Our new Border Security Command is working across police, security and intelligence to pursue the vicious criminal smuggling gangs who make millions from these crossings.
“Just last week, the National Crime Agency arrested one of the largest suppliers of small boats.
“We will stop at nothing to pursue these criminals, dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”
