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Dogs and fencing for Calais to help with migrant crisis Calais migrant crisis: PM pledges extra dogs and fencing
(about 1 hour later)
Extra sniffer dogs and fencing will be sent to Calais to help deal with the migrant crisis, the prime minister has announced. Extra sniffer dogs and fencing will be sent to Calais to help authorities deal with the increasing number of migrants trying to reach the UK, the PM says.
Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, David Cameron said the situation was "not acceptable". David Cameron said Britain would work with the French on the "unacceptable situation" but warned it would be a "difficult issue... across the summer".
It follows a fourth night of disruption at the Calais Eurotunnel terminal. He said UK Border Force teams in France would be boosted and the perimeter of the Channel Tunnel terminal reinforced.
"This is going to be a difficult issue right across the summer," Mr Cameron warned. Thousands of migrants have attempted to break through fences this week.
"We are absolutely on it. We know it needs more work," he said. Fencing supplied by the UK government earlier this month is already being put up around the platforms where vehicles board the Eurotunnel shuttle and the work is expected to be completed in the coming days.
"We rule nothing out in dealing with this very serious problem." But Mr Cameron said the government would "further boost security by funding additional fencing to shore up as much of the perimeter as necessary. More Border Force search and dog teams will also be sent in."
Speaking after chairing a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee, he said: "We are absolutely on it. We know it needs more work. We rule nothing out in dealing with this very serious problem."
'Wrong way around''Wrong way around'
The prime minister spoke after migrants made fresh attempts to enter the tunnel on a fourth night of incidents in Calais.The prime minister spoke after migrants made fresh attempts to enter the tunnel on a fourth night of incidents in Calais.
He said he would be speaking to French president Francois Hollande later on Friday and thanked the French for providing extra police at the Eurotunnel site which had already had "some effect".He said he would be speaking to French president Francois Hollande later on Friday and thanked the French for providing extra police at the Eurotunnel site which had already had "some effect".
"We are keen to work hand in glove with them to reduce pressure on that side of the border," added Mr Cameron."We are keen to work hand in glove with them to reduce pressure on that side of the border," added Mr Cameron.
He also said Ministry of Defence land would be made available to help relieve traffic problems in Kent as thousands of lorries are still queuing on the M20 due to Channel disruptions. He also said Ministry of Defence land would be made available to help relieve traffic problems in Kent, as thousands of lorries are still queuing on the M20 due to Channel disruptions.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage told BBC Radio Leeds freight could start moving again quickly if lorries were diverted to other ports, like Ramsgate.UKIP leader Nigel Farage told BBC Radio Leeds freight could start moving again quickly if lorries were diverted to other ports, like Ramsgate.
He said: "There's a big harbour there which can take medium-sized vessels. We can go across to Dunkirk, or even up to Ostend or Zeebrugge.He said: "There's a big harbour there which can take medium-sized vessels. We can go across to Dunkirk, or even up to Ostend or Zeebrugge.
"We could actually start moving some lorries. I think we are getting this completely the wrong way around.""We could actually start moving some lorries. I think we are getting this completely the wrong way around."
Travel latestTravel latest
BBC travel informationBBC travel information
Calais crisis: Advice for travellersCalais crisis: Advice for travellers
At the sceneAt the scene
Lucy Williamson, BBC correspondent, in CalaisLucy Williamson, BBC correspondent, in Calais
After dark, the nature of Calais' challenge becomes clear. Hundreds of migrants walking together along the highway that leads to the Tunnel site.After dark, the nature of Calais' challenge becomes clear. Hundreds of migrants walking together along the highway that leads to the Tunnel site.
To get there they need to cross several fences and avoid security patrols.To get there they need to cross several fences and avoid security patrols.
Well before midnight, groups of several dozen were struggling under the freshly repaired fencing along Calais' railway line.Well before midnight, groups of several dozen were struggling under the freshly repaired fencing along Calais' railway line.
Some here have been discouraged by the growing number of police and television cameras. "The mood just doesn't feel right", one man told me.Some here have been discouraged by the growing number of police and television cameras. "The mood just doesn't feel right", one man told me.
But their long term goals remain and all the signs are that this week's new challenges - larger groups of migrants, better organised incursions - are becoming Calais's new routine.But their long term goals remain and all the signs are that this week's new challenges - larger groups of migrants, better organised incursions - are becoming Calais's new routine.
Continued disruptionContinued disruption
Although defence sources suggested land could be released for an alternative lorry park to help ease the backlog - as Operation Stack remains in place - they dismissed reports that service personnel were poised to play any significant role. Defence sources earlier suggested land could be released for an alternative lorry park to help ease the backlog - as Operation Stack remains in place - they dismissed reports that service personnel were poised to play any significant role.
Potential locations under discussions included the disused Manston Airport, in Kent.Potential locations under discussions included the disused Manston Airport, in Kent.
Thousands of attempts have been made by migrants this week to get into the Channel Tunnel, with people gathering at fencing at its freight terminal in Calais.
On Thursday night, the BBC witnessed hundreds of people push through police lines near the Eurotunnel terminal, before being escorted off the tracks.On Thursday night, the BBC witnessed hundreds of people push through police lines near the Eurotunnel terminal, before being escorted off the tracks.
Meanwhile, leader of Kent County Council Paul Carter has asked Home Office officials for support in dealing with the arrival of hundreds of young migrants in Dover.Meanwhile, leader of Kent County Council Paul Carter has asked Home Office officials for support in dealing with the arrival of hundreds of young migrants in Dover.
In the last three months, the number of under-18 asylum seekers in the care of Kent County Council has doubled to 629.In the last three months, the number of under-18 asylum seekers in the care of Kent County Council has doubled to 629.
Police officers from neighbouring forces have been deployed to Kent to help with Operation Stack, with the county's police and crime commissioner saying its officers were "exhausted after many weeks of long shifts in difficult conditions".Police officers from neighbouring forces have been deployed to Kent to help with Operation Stack, with the county's police and crime commissioner saying its officers were "exhausted after many weeks of long shifts in difficult conditions".
Fencing supplied by the UK government earlier this month is being put up around the platforms where vehicles board the Eurotunnel shuttle in Calais and is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Eurotunnel said other high-security fencing it was installing around the platforms at its terminal near Calais became operational on Thursday.
Are you in Calais? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in Calais? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: