UK and France team up to tackle Calais illegal immigration
The British government is to provide £12m over three years in a joint deal with the French to tackle illegal immigrants at Calais.
Home Secretary Theresa May and her French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve jointly announced the agreement, which will see security stepped up at the French port.
It is estimated that there are over 1,000 illegal immigrants in Calais, trying to get to the UK. Recent Channel 4 News reports have seen violent clashes between rival migrant groups (video, below), and far-right demonstrations against their presence.
The new deal will see the UK contribute £4m a year for three years to a joint intervention fund.
Money will be spent on infrastructure and security at the port, and on “effective measures… to protect vulnerable people, such as victims of trafficking in human beings.”
Read more: Channel 4 News immigration news
Work could include the installation of new technology to address the dangers of migrants hiding in tankers and refrigerated lorries.
Last month a man, part of a group of 35 migrants, was found dead in a container at Tilbury Docks in Essex.
Other measures being put in place include:
- Information campaigns, starting next month, to explain “the reality of illegal migration and its consequences in the United Kingdom”. The campaign will also set out information on asylum in France or assisted voluntary return.
- Police and border agencies on both sides will co-operate to tackle the organised criminal networks responsible for people smuggling.
- The National Crime Agency will second a full-time officer to Ocriest, the French agency responsible for tackling illegal immigration, while the French border police will send two officers each month to work with the joint border intelligence unit in Folkestone.
Security and Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said: “Earlier today the Home Secretary and French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve set out a number of joint commitments to tackle problems at the port of Calais, including bolstering security.
“Their declaration also reaffirms their commitment to closer working by UK and French law enforcement agencies to target organised crime gangs behind people trafficking and smuggling.
“And the two countries will continue to push for action at European and international level to address the wider problem of illegal migration, of which Calais is just one very visible sign.
“The priority now is to implement the practical solutions that have been agreed.”