‘Hundreds of refugees’ still living round Calais

HUNDREDS of refugees and migrants are believed to be in Calais and the surrounding area, a year after the Jungle camp was razed.

It is thought between 700 and 800 are gathered in France’s northern port town, which continues to act as a magnet to those hoping to start a new life in the UK.

The number could be as high as 2,000 for northern France, said Annie Gavrilescu, who works for charity Help Refugees. She also said the charity was not allowed to give migrants any tents, for fears they would set up a new camp.

Footage from the old Jungle shows it now barren, and those desperately seeking shelter are forced to take cover in the thicket.

Ms Gavrilescu said: “While the French authorities are trying to prevent a camp, all we want to do is provide some form of shelter.

“Last winter a few people in Greece and Serbia died just of the cold and it is a distinct possibility that it could happen in northern France”

Speaking in Calais, Fawad from Afghanistan said: “We sleep in jungles and there is a lot of problem from police. They take our everything, tents, sleeping bags, clothes.”

He added that the migrants were always on the run from police, fearing being beaten if caught. Fawadsaid: “We are afraid for winter. We don’t have place to sleep and something to wear. And every day there is rain, it makes a lot of problem for us.”

Hamad, also from Afghanistan, said that the blankets they have offer little protection from the rain and the “freezing” nights.

On October 24 last year thousands of camp dwellers packed their bags on the first day of the Jungle exodus.