Story perspectives

RNLI Rescues 2,353 Migrants as Volunteers Face Abuse

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 10:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

RNLI volunteers have faced abuse for rescuing migrants in the English Channel.
Children of volunteers were bullied at school and volunteers were confronted in pubs and shops.
In 2025 the RNLI rescued 2,353 of 41,472 Channel crossers, 5.7 percent.
Migrant rescues made up only 1.7 percent of the charity’s total callouts.
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas led an Eastney harbour protest that trapped a lifeboat for two hours.

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Story summary

RNLI volunteers have faced abuse for rescuing migrants in the English Channel.
Children of volunteers were bullied at school and volunteers were confronted in pubs and shops.
In 2025 the RNLI rescued 2,353 of 41,472 Channel crossers, 5.7 percent.
Migrant rescues made up only 1.7 percent of the charity’s total callouts.
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas led an Eastney harbour protest that trapped a lifeboat for two hours.