Illegal immigrants walk three miles through Channel Tunnel in attempt to sneak into UK

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The gang were walking along one of the main rail tunnel, with 100mph Eurostar trains to Britain passing just feet away when they were stopped at 8.30am on Wednesday morning, police said.

Eurostar passengers suffered three hours of delays to trains in both directions while French frontier police officers and a French Channel Tunnel fire crew arrested the immigrants and returned them to France.

Scroll down for more

The group were just feet from high-speed trains travelling at 100mph

A Calais frontier police spokesman added: "They were risking their lives by walking against the tunnel wall, very close to trains passing at high speed.

"They were glimpsed by a train driver passing them at about 100mph, who immediately alerted the authorities.

"Trains were stopped while police and fire teams used the main service tunnel to catch up with the immigrants and head them off.

"They have been arrested and are being held in custody by frontier police in Calais."

Scroll down for more

The four men, believed to be Afghans who have been in Calais for several weeks, now face prosecution for breaking and entering into Eurotunnel property and could be jailed for up to a year before being deported, the spokesman said.

There are an estimated 1,300 illegal immigrants currently living on the streets of Calais, hoping to sneak into Britain.

Incidents of refugees breaking into the tunnel secure areas, protected by razor wire, search lights and CCTV, were rare, police said.

Most illegal immigrants attempt to reach Briain by sneaking aboard lorries using the ferries and shuttle trains. Calais civic chiefs recently approved plans for a new 'Sangatte-style' camp the town.

The new purpose-built and fully equipped migrants welcome centre will be yards from the Calais ferry terminal, and provide shelter to hordes of illegal immigrants in the town.

A second temporary emergency cold weather shelter is also being opened this winter for refugees living on the streets of Calais.

After the original Red Cross hostel in Sangatte was bulldozed in November 2002, and security around the ferry terminal and Eurotunnel centre was increased, the numbers of refugees lured to Calais fell sharply.

The Home Office said the number of refugees caught sneaking into Britain from Calais fell from 10,000 five years ago to 1,500 last year, a fall of about 88 per cent. But it is now feared their numbers could soar to 2002 levels once the two new centres are up and running.