In by John O'Donnell A P&O sez.urity scheme should offer
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hauliers a surefire method of avoiding £2,000-a-head fines for unwittingly carrying stowaways in their trucks.
The ferry company is introducing compulsory testing of all trucks for illegal immigrants before they board the ships in France. Hauliers who refuse to have their vehicles checked will not be allowed on to the company's ships.
The two-minute checks, which will be made just before boarding, are the best way of finding stowaways. Similar checks are offered by the Calais Chamber of Commerce, but until now .stowaways have been able to sneak into their trucks from unchecked trailers when they are on the ferry.
P&O freight sales director Brian Cork says: "From 6 December we will be CO2checking every single freight vehicle. We will also be making checks under the lorries and in the cab.
"Anyone that does not want those checks done will not be allowed to travel with us. It is our intention to reduce the illegals problem to zero."
P&O decided to introduce the scheme when it was fined £100,000 after illegals were found on its ships.
However, Eurotunnei and SeaFrance have no plans to tighten up on security in this way. SeaFrance freight sales manager Adrian Richardson says: "We have done everything we can, Everyone has been crlti cising the ferry companies for not doing enough, but they didn't listen to us when we said that there has been a free CO2 testing facility in Calais since last July. The take-up of that equipment is very disappointing."
A spokesman for Eurotunnel says: "We believe we have done what's required, and there are no plans to change our arrangements. That is within the remit of government."
Dover-based EJ Bywater, which was recently fi £16,000 for moving stowawl says the system should h been introduced sooner.
Owner John Bywater si "This is what we have been ing out for over the past months. If this had been don months ago we wouldn't h had the problems we have.
"But at least now we can sure that there are none on boats and none on vehicles."