Advertisement

Lorry drivers 'too scared' to check for migrants at Calais

Lorry drivers who pass through Calais on the way to the UK are said to be “too scared” to check for stowaway migrants.

New figures have shown that 10 fines are issued to hauliers every day after migrants are found hiding in lorries, but many apparently deliberately do not check their vehicles over safety fears.

Rod McKenzie, the impending director of policy at the Road Haulage Association, claimed lorry drivers have been threatened by migrant gangs in France.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The Calais run is now is a stressful, dangerous and sometimes downright terrifying experience for UK-bound lorry drivers.

“We’ve got gangs of highly organised migrants and people smugglers setting up roadblocks to slow them down and stowaway on board.

“It’s so stressful that drivers just want to get away as quickly as possible. Many fear for their lives and many are met with threats of actual violence.”

Lorry drivers are fined if migrants are fund stowing away on board their vehicles (PA)
Lorry drivers are fined if migrants are fund stowing away on board their vehicles (PA)

When asked if drivers were to scared to carry out checks, he added: “If you’re scared you don’t do the checks. That is the reality.

“Some may, some may not.”

Home Office data shows 3,522 civil penalties were handed to drivers or their employers in 2016/17 after “clandestine entrants” were discovered in vehicles.

MORE: Van driver killed in crash at Calais migrant roadblock
MORE: French minister nixes aid centre for migrants in Calais

This was a 12% rise on the tally of 3,151 in the previous 12 months, according to statistics supplied following a Freedom of Information request.

A total of £7.8 million worth of fines were issued in the most recent year.

The findings suggest that large numbers of migrants are still boarding UK-bound lorries despite the closure of the Jungle camp in Calais in autumn last year.

Migrants gangs in Calais are said to be threatening lorry drivers who are too scared to check their vehicles for people (Rex)
Migrant gangs in Calais are said to be threatening lorry drivers who are too scared to check their vehicles for people (Rex)

Transport lawyer Dan Hart, from law firm Nockolds, said: “The majority of drivers take measures to secure their vehicles but it is increasingly difficult to do so when faced with the determination of large gangs of migrants.

“If there are even the smallest shortcomings, civil penalties are imposed.

“In the current climate, it raises the question of whether the penalty regime is fair given the exceptional circumstances.”

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has called for the French military to be deployed on the Calais approach roads to the port to protect UK-bound HGV drivers.

An RHA spokeswoman said: “Hauliers take every precaution possible to prevent migrants getting on the back of their trucks but it still happens.

“We regularly hear from hauliers who no longer want to take the Calais/Dover route because of the risk of fines and also the real possibility of facing intimidation or migrant attacks.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “It is in all our interests to combat attempts to enter the UK illegally, which can damage the haulage industry financially and place the safety of drivers at risk.

“That is why we continue to work closely with the French to bolster security at the ports, tackle the organised crime networks behind trafficking and people-smuggling, and ensure hauliers and other travellers can travel through the ports safely.

“Most hauliers take their responsibilities for vehicle security seriously – the fines imposed are designed to ensure that all drivers take reasonable measures.”

Top pic: Rex