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Now Police join Calais protests
[ October 13, 2014 // Chris ]The migrants crisis in Calais took a bizarre turn on 13 October when the local Police mounted their own road blockade to protest against inadequate resources to cope with the influx. The Police, together with farmers and lorry drivers staged a “go slow” protest between the Port’s exit roundabout and the Calais bypass.
A spokesman for P&O Ferries said however that the demonstration had not materially affected traffic flows to and from the port.
Freight operators using Calais have been under virtual siege from camps of migrant refugees – many of them fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa – trying to steal about UK-bound trucks in search of believe will be better living conditions in England. According to press reports, the local Police complain that at times, as few as four officers have to fend off perhaps 200 or more determined migrants desperate to get to England.
In response to mounting pressure from the freight industry, the UK Home Office and the French government pledged £12m for a three-year joint intervention fund of which £4m would be committed in phase one. This would be used to strengthen security, with improved fences in or near the port.
However, FTA’s international manager, Don Armour told FBJ: “But what is really needed is action at EU level.”