News

There's growing concern on both sides of the English Channel about the dramatic increase in the number of immigrants at Calais waiting for a chance to sneak into the UK.

Official estimates are that around 1,000 immigrants are now camped out near Calais docks, from where ferries sail for Dover. Others still hang around near the Channel Tunnel entrance.

Kent Refugee Action Network director Tony Fuller says: “I understand the number of refugees in Calais alone is around 1,000. Not so long ago there were only a few hundred.” He is concerned following reports there are violent gangs at Calais that traffic immigrants and are now preying on those waiting in desperate conditions to make the 21 miles to Dover.

It is reported that the British government is to review the amount of financial support it offers to the French authorities to help in toughing up border controls even further.