Refugees arriving in UK on boats asked to find own accommodation

Vulnerable people reportedly released without checks, sparking fears some could fall prey to traffickers

Asylum seekers who arrive in the UK on small boats are being asked to find their own accommodation, the Guardian has been told, prompting fears that some could end up in the hands of traffickers.

Record numbers of asylum seekers have arrived in small boats this year with 33,573 as of 3 October. Last year, there were 28,526 small boat arrivals and in 2020 there were 8,404.