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France pledges to halt people smuggling into Britain
Peter Allen in Paris4 Feb 2009
FRANCE today launched a onslaught against people-smugglers charging up to £3,000 a time to get illegal migrants into countries including Britain.
Major smugglers were arrested after a pledge by immigration minister Eric Besson that the port of Calais would be "watertight" and rid of Britain-bound migrants within a few years.
Mr Besson said the smuggling network heads "would pay" for "their dirty work". The network is believed to have transported illegal immigrants from countries including Afghanistan, China, Turkey and Bangladesh to EU member states. Britain is a popular destination because of its generous welfare payments. Most migrants pass through the Calais to get into Britain.
Mr Besson was due to visit the port, and will meet his British counterpart Phil Woolas in London on Sunday.
Reader views (5)
STOP paying welfare benefits to all foreign immigrants thereby making Britain an unattractive destination for these spongers
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 05/02/2009 08:58
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"Britain is a popular destination because of its generous welfare payments."
Says who? has this been investigated? is there any conclusive evidence?
- Ed, paris, 04/02/2009 23:34
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Stop all welfare benefits to foreigners as other europeon countries do.
- Maggie, London, 04/02/2009 18:17
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Pay attention, Marianne - they haven't Sangatte 2 yet! They're not allowed to because of an Anglo-British agreement....
- Bob Riley, Woking, Berks, 04/02/2009 17:05
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Has France closed Sangatte 2 yet? Until they do so I wouldn't take any pledges too seriously.
- Marianne, SW France, 04/02/2009 15:16
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