• Truck drivers have got to do their part to
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halt the massive influx of illegal immigrants into the country, according to a firm which has found 52 stowaways in just two weeks. Paul DoIlin of Thamesmead-based Crossvale Warehousing warns drivers returning from Europe, and particularly Northern Italy, to check their trailers every time they stop. In the past two weeks, his firm has had to deal with three trucks containing stowaways: two of the vehicles held 29 and 19 people. In each case it was clear that the seals had been tampered with but the drivers had not picked it up.
"The drivers can't just say they don't know anything about it," says DoIlin. "After every halt for the night, or even just to fill up with fuel, they must check the back of the trailer, and if anything looks suspicious they should investigate."
He points out that by taking this action the driver could be avoidin an interrogation by the police, an possibly a long court case. It will also save on the cost of clearing up behind the immigrants. Loads are being ruined by faeces and urine— the problem has got so bad that staff are refusing to unload the loads where the stowaways are found.
DoIlin also wants to know why Customs officers are not picking up the problem at Dover. He is calling for more effective screening of loads as they enter the country.
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