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Calais fears new 'Jungle' camp of migrants is already growing
Peter Allen and Neil Millard23 Sep 2009
Squalid camps next to the derelict Hoverport in Calais are in danger of mushrooming into a new "Jungle" full of Britain-bound illegal migrants, it emerged today.
Just 24 hours after a notorious camp was cleared of hundreds of mainly Afghan young men, the town's mayor said she had spotted "between 15 and 20 squats" nearby. Natacha Bouchart said that many were close to the Hoverport - a disused collection of buildings which closed in 2005 after the last hovercraft sailed from Dover to Calais.
While supporting the destruction of the camp known as The Jungle, Mrs Bouchart conceded that it was "just a matter of time" before another major squat was set up by the Afghans, probably around the Hoverport.
"I've warned the regional authorities about this," said Mrs Bouchart. "The buildings are dangerous to migrants, with just one match all it would take to start a fire."
At the end of last month frontier police arrested 11 Afghan migrants including a child of 14 in a camp by the derelict port, which is next to a motorway slip road where British-bound lorries regularly slow down.
The site's squalid conditions were almost identical to those in The Jungle, which was razed by 500 riot police.
French immigration minister Eric Besson had viewed the closure of the camp as being a crucial step in his plan to make Calais "watertight" against people smugglers and migrants.
But although there were 278 arrests, including 132 claiming to be under 16, many were back on the streets within hours, ready to resume their attempts to get to Britain. A long queue of them waited for food handouts last night.
Opponents of Mr Besson's decision to destroy the camp accused him of a publicity stunt which displaced the migrants, rather than getting rid of them.
Reader views (10)
OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A HOUSE FULL SIGN OVER ENGLAND, BUT ONE CANNOT BUT FEEL DESPERATELY SORRY FOR THESE PEOPLE, WILLING TO RISK THEIR LIVES TO GET HERE , FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS A BETTER LIFE. STORIES OF THE DETENTION CAMPS IN PLACES IN AFRICA FILL ONE FULL OF HORROR.
SOMEHOW WE NEED TO HELP IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF THESEE PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN COUNTIES. BUT HOW, LOOK AT AFGHANISTAN, WHERE MANY COME FROM TO ESCAPE OPPRESSION, PARTICULARLY WOMEN.
IN MANY CASES, AID SEEMS TO GO INTO THE POCKETS OF THE LEADERS.OF MANY AFRICAN STATES. PERHAPS WE NEED TO GIVE DIRECT AID ON INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS, LIKE FRESH WATER, EDUCATION, BUILDING HOMES, EVEN BRITISH FIRMS SETTING UP LOCAL MANUFACTURING PROJECTS. FAIR TRADE PRICE SEEMS TO HAVE POINTED THE WAY.
I USE TO THINK THE ONLY WAY TO FIGHT STALIN, WAS NOT BY HAVING THE BOMB, BUT SENDING TO RUSSIA HUNDREDS OF FREE WASHING MACHINES, SO THAT THEY REALIZED COMMUNISM DID NOT WORK. SIMILARLY PERHAPS TODAY, WE SHOULD SEND THOUSANDS OF COMMUTERS TO AFRICA WITH FREE ACESS TO THE NET, SO THEY LEARN THEIR MEDIEVAL RELIGIONS DO NOT WORK, NEITHER DO THE IDEAS OF THEIR LEADERS.
- Alan Green, England. The forgotten country., 24/09/2009 11:39
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Even if the Government has tightened things up, the UK still has a worldwide reputation for being an easy touch for free handouts. And it is that reputation that is feeding this massive influx of wannabe immigrants. It's not racist to say so: it's common sense to worry given the pressure on our benefits system and NHS. Why are we paying NI contributions to keep the rest of the world and send benefits to families in other countries. Did William Beveridge mean that: I don't think so!
- Janet, London, UK, 24/09/2009 11:09
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This country is one rubbish tip that will never be full.The French will see to that!
- Alan, Chigwell., 24/09/2009 10:42
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EDITED by admin @ 12.09 on 12.07 on September 24 2009
Breach of community guidelines
- Judith C, London, England, 23/09/2009 22:15
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In Gods Name This Must Stop. We Can Not Have The All The World Coming To Live In The UK, Lets Have A Bit Of Common-Sense..Its NOT Knee-Jerk Racism.
- Michael Franklin-Harris, London, 23/09/2009 21:57
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Why do the french not just send them all back to turkey?.Afterall that was the first country,evidently,that was safe for the persecuted afghans.
- John, benidorm spain, 23/09/2009 14:53
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@ Steve, London: "the UK is the place to be. They'll feel at home with the rubbish we already have".
Rubbish, indeed!
PREDOMINANTLY IN THE HOUSE OF CONMEN AND IN THE HOUSE OF FRAUDS.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 23/09/2009 14:41
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Well done Steve, you neatly encapsulate the casual knee-jerk racism and general lack of human empathy that surounds a highly complex issue of genuine human suffering. Sadly I'm sure you won't be the last.
- Nj, London, 23/09/2009 14:09
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Why are they not trying to seek and secure refuge in France? Answer: Its known around the world that the UK is the easiest place in the world for handouts. Any refugee that has crossed other safe eligible countries toget to the UK must be automatically barred.
- Brandon Thomas, SW7, 23/09/2009 13:43
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These people are hell bent on coming here for 'Free money and housing' and they won't stop until out government permits them entry.From what I've seen these people are the dregs of the East.All they're good for is breeding so maybe the UK is the place to be.They'll feel at home with the rubbish we already have.
- Steve, London, 23/09/2009 12:27
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