Blanket cover-up for ‘child refugees’
MIGRANTS claiming to be children hid their faces under green blankets as they arrived in the UK to claim asylum yesterday.
They covered their heads on reaching an immigration centre in London after travelling by coach from Calais.
The refugees, who claim to be aged between 13 and 17, were then led inside by officials to start their asylum process. Their behaviour fuelled suspicions that some may be lying about their true age.
Groups of migrants have been bussed to Croydon from the notorious Jungle camp in Calais every day this week. Some appeared older than typical teenagers.
Of the 13 who arrived yesterday, five put blankets over their heads, while another covered his face with a jacket.
The refugees who hid their faces with blankets were noticeably taller and their hands appeared more worn than the younger group who, sporting child-like grins, walked into the centre without covering up. Last night an immigration source said the migrants decided to hide under blankets after reading about the controversy.
He added: ‘They think asylum claims might be delayed if they look too old, so they are using the blankets to hide their faces.’
A Home Office spokesman said the department gave the migrants blankets at the start of their coach journey ‘for their comfort’, adding that they put them over their heads ‘to protect their privacy’.