A record number of people illegally crossed the English Channel on Saturday, according to Home Office figures, with at least 828 making the journey from France across the busy shipping lane in 30 small boats. Despite government promises to stem the flow of boats, which are often overloaded semi-rigid inflatables, this summer the numbers continue to eclipse those of previous years. The latest figures, released on Aug. 23, show more than 12,400 people have now crossed the Channel from France this year. The total was 8,417 for the whole of last year. Before 2018, the crossing accounted for a tiny proportion of illegal immigration with only a few known to make it each year. Dan O’Mahoney, the Home Office’s clandestine channel threat commander, said: “These dangerous crossings from safe EU countries are completely unnecessary and we are determined to take down the evil criminal gangs behind them. “We’re working across …