Stowaway warning on Belgian-French route • A Cumbrian haulier is
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warning international operators to be "extra vigilant" about security in northern Belgium and the corridor to France after discovering two groups of illegal immigrants hidden on vehicles.
Penrith-based Cohn Atkinson Transport is now advising its drivers not to park up along the corridor, even if the trailer is empty.
The move comes hot on the heels of Atkinson drivers reporting two separate incidents of onboard stowaways. One driver discovered three illegal immigrants when he arrived in London. He believes they climbed on board while he was parked in Jabbeke, northern Belgium.
Another driver discovered six Albanians in his curtainsider while parked on a layby about 20km from Jabbeke. When the driver chased them out they jumped into a German-registered car and sped off.
Atkinson believes that there could be an organised gang operating out of Germany, helping the immigrants enter vehicles in Belgium. "Nobody can be too careful," he warns.