Immigrant risk watched

NO INCREASE in illegal immigrants has been detected since the opening of a Sangatte-style camp near Cherbourg. Customs chief officer Rob Prow said that the camp had been classified as low risk by the UK's Border and Immigration Agency.

He said that the goal of most illegal immigrants encountered in Guernsey was to pass through the island to get to the UK.

'We are very aware of the threat and we have equipment to detect illegal entries in lorries and other vehicles.

'Our figures for illegal immigrants have reduced.'

The would-be immigrants, mainly from Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Syria, have poured into the Normandy port where security is more lax than at Calais 250 miles away.

'Since the camp has been at Cherbourg, there has been no massive increase in illegal immigration cases detected in the UK, even though there is a direct Cherbourg to Poole ferry link,' said Mr Prow.

'In July there were 22 and in August 23.'

Mr Prow said the camp was nowhere near the same scale as Sangatte yet.

'As far as Cherbourg is concerned, the BIA is aware of a small encampment.

'The services in question are mainly food and shower provisions, access to medical care and information on options for voluntary return to their countries of origin.

'BIA staff remain in close co-operation with their French counterparts regarding Cherbourg to ensure that appropriate measures to reduce illegal penetration to the UK from there are implemented.'

It is understood that some French politicians want to make the camp more official and provide better facilities, but critics insist that would make the area a magnet for thousands of refugees.

'We work very closely with the French authorities, particularly those responsible for controls at ports along the adjacent French coast and in particular the port of St Malo.

'Our service is not complacent and continues to respond to the pressures that illegal immigration bring.

'We will continue to work closely with the French authorities and the carriers to ensure that the immigration controls in this Bailiwick are not compromised.'