Could crossing offer access for terrorists?
I AM writing via the press to ask Condor and the Border Agency to inform the public what, if any, security measures are in place following the Paris tragedy? How much communication and joint thinking is there between border control in St Malo and border control in the UK with our force? What emergency plans are in place between the three forces? Do we in Guernsey actively work with the UK's anti-terrorism agency?
If criminal animal smuggling gangs know to exploit easy entry to the UK via St Malo and Guernsey, then terrorists do too. In 15 years of travelling to and from France I have never seen a car searched before boarding the return to the UK and Guernsey from France via Condor. How easy is it to put an AK47 in the boot? How easy is it to enter the UK on a fake passport?
How easy an access point into the UK has St Malo become or to become?
Consequently, once passengers are on board Condor staff are not trained police, they have no deterrent or weapons to control a life-threatening situation, they are hospitality staff.
While we on our island face little threat from terrorism, the reality of Isis using weakly protected routes into the UK can only widen and be exploited.
My concern is, if they are doing it with animals, they are or will be doing it with guns and terrorists.
Name and address withheld.
Editor's footnote: A spokeswoman for Condor Ferries responds: 'Condor Ferries is not responsible for security controls at the port; these are all managed and run by the local port in conjunction with the Border Agency. However, I can assure your readers that we do work closely with the police, the ports and the border agencies and comply with any controls and measures they put in place.'
