Britain faces fresh asylum crisis from 'the new Sangatte'

Police have warned that Cherbourg is becoming the “new Sangatte”, the notorious migrant camp that was closed near Calais.

In the last few days groups of Iraqis, Syrians and Iranians trying to get to Britain have been arrested at the busy Normandy port, which has daily ferry and freight services to Portsmouth, Poole and Southampton.

Police believe that tighter security around Calais – the traditional magnet for migrants seeking to sneak across the Channel – has led people-smugglers to look for new routes to Britain.

Before it was shut in 2002, some 67,000 migrants passed through the Red Cross camp at Sangatte. Now French immigration minister Brice Hortefeux has estimated there are up to 400,000 illegal migrants in France – many hoping to get to Britain.

“Immigrants are rushing into Cherbourg,” a police spokesman there said yesterday. “It could well become the new Sangatte. We are making every effort to improve the situation but arrests are made almost every day.”

Cherbourg’s mayor Bernard Cazeneuve has long predicted that the town would become “the next Sangatte”.

Last night there were growing calls to strengthen Britain’s borders. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: “The Govern-ment has long since lost control of our borders. It is no good increasing security measures at one port, then leaving gaps elsewhere along our borders.

“The Government must deliver a strengthened border police force with the teeth to do the job, not just a change of uniform.”

Sir Andrew Green, of pressure group MigrationWatch UK, said: “The Government has made a great deal of the new precautions it has put in place on the Calais to Dover route. It was only a matter of time before people- smugglers sought to try a different route. This looks like evidence that they have done so.”

Since 2002, French police have stepped up patrols and infra-red searches of lorries and trains.

Some of those arrested in the latest crackdown in Cherbourg were pulled from lorry wheel arches by police dogs controlled by immigration officials.

A makeshift camp has sprung up in woods close to the port and disused buildings are being used as squats by migrants seeking a better life in Britain.

As in Calais, a local charity offers refugees food parcels, clothes and blankets.

Most are boys and men aged between 16 and 25, although women and children often accompany them.

The police spokesman said: “As in Calais, there is a mafia of people-smugglers who charge huge amounts to get vulnerable people over to Britain.

“They prey on refugees to make huge illegal profits. Many of those arrested say they would have claimed asylum in Britain. Cherbourg is having big problems combating this menace.”

People-smugglers demand £600 to successfully load their human cargo on to a truck bound for Britain. Stowaways who are captured are released without charge and simply try again the following night.

The Cherbourg authorities have demanded tougher action to combat the trade. The French government has responded by deploying more patrols, supported by paramilitary police, plus improved perimeter fencing.

Last night the Government’s new Border and Immigration Agency said: “To tighten controls we are introducing biometric IDs for non-European Economic Area nationals from 2008 and have doubled the enforcement budget by

£100million. This is backed by new powers for immigration officers at borders as part of the UK Borders Bill and removing incentives for illegal migrants coming to Britain.”