UK pledges tighter border security after Calais strike
23 June 2015
From the section UK Politics
Migrants have been trying to reach the UK by boarding vehicles at the French port
Border security is being stepped up in northern France and Dover after migrants sought to exploit ferry strike action in Calais.
Hundreds of migrants at the French port tried to board vehicles heading to the UK on Tuesday.
Immigration minister James Brokenshire told the BBC that the situation was “hugely regrettable”.
But he said it was “ultimately” up to the French authorities to “assure security and safety” at Calais.
Industrial action by French ferry workers forced the suspension of services through the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France on Tuesday.
Hundreds of migrants tried to board slow-moving UK-bound lorries amid the chaos.
About 3,000 migrants are estimated to be living rough around Calais, waiting for a chance to cross the Channel.
Mr Brokenshire said the UK government was in constant contact with the French authorities
Mr Brokenshire, a Home Office minister, told the BBC: “It is hugely regrettable that we’ve seen these incidents occurring as a result of industrial action in France.
“We are putting additional resourcing into the port of Dover to enhance screenings and detections there so that we’re looking at this on both sides of the Channel.”
He added: “We …read more
Source:: BBC UK
