French cut immigration officers
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• Hauliers USIng the French ports of Cherbourg and Dieppe are being warned to be extra vigilant to the problem of illegal immigrants after it emerged
local immigration officials have been withdrawn.
As more than 2,000 asylum seekers a month continue to try to enter the UK illegally, immigration officials at eight French ports have been withdrawn following cutbacks to the French immigration service. In many cases already hard-pressed customs officials have been asked to cover.
Angela Eagle, the UK's immigration minister, has asked Home Office officials to monitor the situation and she says she may ask the French government to re-instate the officials if it results in more immigrants entering the country. Meanwhile, a leaked memo written by the chief executive of Eurotunnel suggests his staff are close to breaking point over the immigrant problem. Around 150 people a day breach the security fence at the Chunhel's Calais terminal.
In the memo, Philippe Lazare says he understands his staff's frustrations in dealing with the constant delays that result. He attacks the positioning of the Red Cross centre near the terminal and says it acts as a waiting room for the 700 residents and only serves to attract the criminal gangs preying on people who are desperate to get to Britain.