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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Q&A: Calais migrant crisis explained | Q&A: Calais migrant crisis explained |
| (2 months later) | |
| Security has been tightened at the French port of Calais in an effort to stop a burgeoning migrant population from making attempts to illegally enter the UK. | Security has been tightened at the French port of Calais in an effort to stop a burgeoning migrant population from making attempts to illegally enter the UK. |
| Why is there a security issue in Calais? | Why is there a security issue in Calais? |
| There has long been an issue with migrants wanting to illegally enter the UK via Calais and the northern French town has remained a gathering point. | |
| There were riots in 2001 and 2002 when the controversial refugee camp Sangatte in Calais was closed on the orders of the then Minister of the Interior, Nicolas Sarkozy. | There were riots in 2001 and 2002 when the controversial refugee camp Sangatte in Calais was closed on the orders of the then Minister of the Interior, Nicolas Sarkozy. |
| But since then refugees have once again started arriving and building makeshift camps near the port. | But since then refugees have once again started arriving and building makeshift camps near the port. |
| The issue recently made headlines after a ferry bound for the UK was stormed by about 235 illegal migrants earlier this week. | The issue recently made headlines after a ferry bound for the UK was stormed by about 235 illegal migrants earlier this week. |
| French authorities have said they have never seen such high numbers of migrants at the port. | French authorities have said they have never seen such high numbers of migrants at the port. |
| What security measures are in place at Calais? | What security measures are in place at Calais? |
| The Calais Chambers of Commerce has responsibility for the security of the port. | The Calais Chambers of Commerce has responsibility for the security of the port. |
| There is a fence roughly five metres in height which encircles the port, and at night security guards patrol the area with dogs. | There is a fence roughly five metres in height which encircles the port, and at night security guards patrol the area with dogs. |
| The UK Border Force is also present inside the port and carries out passport checks on passengers. | The UK Border Force is also present inside the port and carries out passport checks on passengers. |
| Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart has previously threatened to shut down the port unless the British government did more to stop the problem of illegal immigration. | Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart has previously threatened to shut down the port unless the British government did more to stop the problem of illegal immigration. |
| The Home Office told BBC News that the government has already taken action and invested several million pounds in strengthening security and upgrading technology at Calais. | The Home Office told BBC News that the government has already taken action and invested several million pounds in strengthening security and upgrading technology at Calais. |
| A spokesman said it was going to "work with the French authorities to help enhance port infrastructure further". | A spokesman said it was going to "work with the French authorities to help enhance port infrastructure further". |
| The government said it was providing a further £3m to help out and ensure that legitimate travellers can pass through border controls quicker. It is currently awaiting agreement from the Calais Chambers of Commerce. | The government said it was providing a further £3m to help out and ensure that legitimate travellers can pass through border controls quicker. It is currently awaiting agreement from the Calais Chambers of Commerce. |
| Why is the UK seen as a target? | Why is the UK seen as a target? |
| It's long been suggested that many migrants think they would have a better life in the UK as well as access to better benefits. | It's long been suggested that many migrants think they would have a better life in the UK as well as access to better benefits. |
| In fact migrants have quicker access to housing and benefits if they stay in France. | In fact migrants have quicker access to housing and benefits if they stay in France. |
| The British Red Cross agreed that it was a myth that migrants wanted to come to the UK for the benefits. Instead the charity said that most migrants wanted to make the move because they believed there is a better prospect of finding work in the UK. | The British Red Cross agreed that it was a myth that migrants wanted to come to the UK for the benefits. Instead the charity said that most migrants wanted to make the move because they believed there is a better prospect of finding work in the UK. |
| The charity also said that many of them have been taught or know English, and want to use the language. | The charity also said that many of them have been taught or know English, and want to use the language. |
| Where are the migrants coming from? | Where are the migrants coming from? |
| A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the migrants in Calais were from countries such as Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea, while others had fled from the conflict in Syria. | A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the migrants in Calais were from countries such as Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea, while others had fled from the conflict in Syria. |
| According to data from the UN Refugee Agency, the top 10 countries of origin for people seeking an asylum application in UK between January and March are as follows: | According to data from the UN Refugee Agency, the top 10 countries of origin for people seeking an asylum application in UK between January and March are as follows: |
| The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates there are as many as 1,300 migrants in Calais. | The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates there are as many as 1,300 migrants in Calais. |