Border police stop 56,000 immigrants in one year

BORDER police foiled more than 56,000 migration attempts into Kent from France last year, data revealed.

Officers are stopping around 153 attempts each day – the second highest amount in the past seven years. Statistics include people stowing away in vehicles at Calais and Dunkirk ports, and at Eurotunnel and Eurostar terminals.

The figures of migrants being prevented from entering the UK were released to the BBC under a Freedom of Information request and last year saw the second highest amount of people apprehended in seven years, despite dropping by 25,000 compared with 2015.

A Home Office spokesman said the figures “make absolutely clear that our approach to securing the UK’S border is working”, but said it was not complacent on the issue.

“We will continue to work closely with our French counterparts to maintain security and keep legitimate passengers and trade moving,” the spokesman said.

Violent clashes have taken place this week between police and migrants in Calais. It has prompted The Road Haulage Association (RHA) to issue warnings that drivers are being put at risk.

Rod Mckenzie, a RHA spokesman, said: “Our members are terrified and angry. Gangs of migrants, often armed with bars are attacking vehicles.

“The police are heavily outnumbered and it’s clear that they can no longer cope with the ever increasing numbers trying to make the crossing to the UK. We hear of drivers refusing to make the journey while many are re-routing their vehicles at a cost of thousands.”