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UK pledges anti-immigration fund to France

September 20, 2014

The UK government has pledged £12m (15 million euros) in a bid to control the growing number of illegal immigrants attempting to cross the English Channel from Calais to Britain.

https://p.dw.com/p/1DGJ7
Migranten Großbritannien
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

In an attempt to curb the ever-growing number of illegal immigrants trying to enter Britain from the French port of Calais, the UK government has pledged £12 million (15 million Euros) to France, the British Home Secretary Theresa May and French Minister of the Interior Bernard Cazeneuve announced on Saturday.

Under the new deal, the UK will annually contribute £4 million (5 million Euros) over a three-year period, which will enable the UK and France to ensure migrants do not breach the laws of either country or threaten the safety of Calais' residents or those using the port.

In a statement, May and Cazeneuve said they would "ensure that all measures taken will deter illegal migrants from congregating in and around Calais."

Increased security measures at the French port will include stronger fencing, as well as tightened security in the port's parking area. The layout of the port will also be changed in order to improve traffic flow and vehicle controls.

'Vulnerable victims'

The joint intervention will see French and British police working closer together to tackle criminal networks and will also seek to "protect the vulnerable," such as victims of human trafficking. The two ministers said the funds will enable the UK and France to "ensure victims receive the appropriate help and support."

Französische Polizei räumt Flüchtlingslager in Calais
1,000 currently live in squats at Calais' portImage: AP

Funding will also be injected into campaigns providing details on asylum in France or assisted voluntary return, as well as the consequences of illegal immigration to the UK.

Humanitarian crises

According to French authorities, there are currently between 1,400 and 1,500 illegal immigrants in Calais, many of whom originate from Eritrea, Sudan or Somalia.

The number of illegal immigrants camping or living in squats in Calais has risen by 50 percent in the past year, due to an increased influx of people fleeing humanitarian crises in northern and eastern Africa and the Middle East.

Most travel to Calais in the hope crossing the English Channel to seek asylum in the UK, where residency is seen as easier to obtain. Some attempt to cross the Channel by hiding in ferries and freight trains. As part of the new deal between the UK and France, new technology may also be introduced to detect migrants hiding in such vehicles.

Shared responsibility

At the end of August, Cazeneuve called on London to "accept its responsibilities" to help reduce illegal immigration from Calais.

Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart also said, at the beginning of September, that she was prepared to close the port if Britain did not help to address the issue, and claimed the problem in Calais was draining local government finances.

ksb/bw (Reuters, AFP)