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Calais migrant crisis: lorry drivers say fines even if they report migrants found stowing away are a 'deterrent for reporting the problem' Calais migrant crisis: lorry drivers say fines are a 'deterrent for reporting the problem'
(35 minutes later)
Lorry drivers and haulage firms are being fined by the UK Border Agency for migrants hiding in their vehicles, even if they report them to the authorities.Lorry drivers and haulage firms are being fined by the UK Border Agency for migrants hiding in their vehicles, even if they report them to the authorities.
Haulage companies calling on the government to change their approach to punishing lorry drivers, as the number of fines being handed out to drivers rockets.Haulage companies calling on the government to change their approach to punishing lorry drivers, as the number of fines being handed out to drivers rockets.
Workers are arguing that incentives to call the authorities are non-existent, with thousands of pounds worth of fines being handed out to drivers when they report finding migrants seeking refuge in the UK in their vehicles.Workers are arguing that incentives to call the authorities are non-existent, with thousands of pounds worth of fines being handed out to drivers when they report finding migrants seeking refuge in the UK in their vehicles.
Slow-moving or stopped lorries are a sitting target for the many men and women who hope to hitch an illegal ride to England (Getty) A Freedom of Information, published by the Press Association, has highlighted the number of penalties issued over the last five years:Slow-moving or stopped lorries are a sitting target for the many men and women who hope to hitch an illegal ride to England (Getty) A Freedom of Information, published by the Press Association, has highlighted the number of penalties issued over the last five years:
2010/11 - 1,4972011/12 - 1,3852012/13 - 9982013/14 - 2,1772014/15 - 3,3192010/11 - 1,4972011/12 - 1,3852012/13 - 9982013/14 - 2,1772014/15 - 3,319
The appeal period for the 2014/15 is not yet over, so this number could fall.The appeal period for the 2014/15 is not yet over, so this number could fall.
James Tennant, the director of West Midlands based haulage firm MoveCorp, spoke to The Independent, arguing that hauliers are being unfairly targeted.James Tennant, the director of West Midlands based haulage firm MoveCorp, spoke to The Independent, arguing that hauliers are being unfairly targeted.
"Its happened a number of times, but we had 13 or 14 migrants found in one our trucks coming back from France. Our driver was stopped in London and heard banging in the back of the truck, but it was all locked form the outside. He called the police, and when they arrived and opened the doors, 13 or 14 people were found.""Its happened a number of times, but we had 13 or 14 migrants found in one our trucks coming back from France. Our driver was stopped in London and heard banging in the back of the truck, but it was all locked form the outside. He called the police, and when they arrived and opened the doors, 13 or 14 people were found."
Mr Tennant was then charged £1,500 for each person found by the UK Border Force, which totalled £19,000. "They claimed we didn't have appropriate checks in place, although we provided them with evidence we had."Mr Tennant was then charged £1,500 for each person found by the UK Border Force, which totalled £19,000. "They claimed we didn't have appropriate checks in place, although we provided them with evidence we had."
French gendarmes stand facing a group of seated migrants as they block their way in the Eurotunnel site They were detained at the scene, and the driver was allowed to continue on his jounrey. French gendarmes stand facing a group of seated migrants as they block their way in the Eurotunnel site The migrants were detained at the scene, and the driver was allowed to continue on his jounrey.
"The Government need to be working with hauliers and border force and the police," argues Mr Tennant, "but drivers shouldn't be penalised, it just acts as a deterrent for reporting the problem.""The Government need to be working with hauliers and border force and the police," argues Mr Tennant, "but drivers shouldn't be penalised, it just acts as a deterrent for reporting the problem."
With people so desperate to make it to Britain, migrants are putting themselves into dangerous situations to make it across the border. "It's not a safe place to be, there are no seat belts, they attach themselves to the underneath of the truck, they try to hide on the roof, we've had all types of attempts," says Mr Tennant.With people so desperate to make it to Britain, migrants are putting themselves into dangerous situations to make it across the border. "It's not a safe place to be, there are no seat belts, they attach themselves to the underneath of the truck, they try to hide on the roof, we've had all types of attempts," says Mr Tennant.
But a Home Office Spokesperson claims that "one third of lorries arriving at the UK border do not have basic standards of security."But a Home Office Spokesperson claims that "one third of lorries arriving at the UK border do not have basic standards of security."
"The purpose of the civil penalty regime is to ensure that all drivers are taking reasonable steps to stop migrants from boarding their lorries," the spokesperson told The Independent. "Drivers who can show they have taken simple steps to secure their vehicles will not receive a penalty.""The purpose of the civil penalty regime is to ensure that all drivers are taking reasonable steps to stop migrants from boarding their lorries," the spokesperson told The Independent. "Drivers who can show they have taken simple steps to secure their vehicles will not receive a penalty."
Some transport firms have now mounted a legal challenge to these fines, with the Court of Appeal set to  look at whether the penalties are being "fairly applied" early next year.Some transport firms have now mounted a legal challenge to these fines, with the Court of Appeal set to  look at whether the penalties are being "fairly applied" early next year.