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[email protected], tel: 01202 440825M
arine police are
concerned that
privately-owned
boats leaving
Cherbourg are being targeted
by illegal immigrants seeking
passage over to the UK.
Daily reports indicate that
Cherbourg is now being targeted
by people seeking passage over
to the UK. This follows increased
security at Calais, which has
prompted many people to look
elsewhere in their attempt to
cross the Channel. Offi cers behind
Project Kraken say: ‘What is of
growing concern to UK interests
is the manner in which asylum
seekers are being assisted in
their passage to our shores.’
Sergeant Damon Kennard from
Hampshire Constabulary’s
Marine Unit is a keen sailor, and
while cruising in the summer
visited Chantereyne Marina inCherbourg, where he noticed
a couple of men on a bench
overlooking the visitor
pontoons. One was asleep and
both looked as though they had
been sleeping rough, but Sgt
Kennard didn’t think too much
about it until returning to the
UK and reading in PBO that a
fellow yachtsman had been
approached in Cherbourg Marina
by a man without any passport
or money who wanted a ‘lift’ to
England. Sgt Kennard said:
‘Such reports support concerns
that improved security at
Calais is dispersing refugees
further along the coast’.
Project Kraken, which was
initially a Hampshire marine
police initiative to encourage
sailors and other coastal visitors
to report any suspicious activity,
is now UK-wide, having been
adopted by the National CrimeAgency. The Project Kraken
autumn newsletter warns sailors
not to be tempted into offering
assistance, saying: ‘The offer of
money and the thought that you
might be helping someone in
dire need could be enticing.Please remember, you don’t
know who these people are, and
as such may put yourself and
your crew at risk: and it is a
serious criminal offence to
facilitate illegal immigration.’
The infl ux of refugees in Calais
and across Europe rarely fails to
hit the headlines at the moment,
and marine police say we are
undoubtedly witnessing historic
developments in the way that
the European Union chooses to
tackle this situation. Sgt Kennard
added: ‘It is an emotive issue,
and the British public have been
heavily divided in their opinion
of our country’s responsibility
and how far we should commit
resources in rendering
assistance. It is vital that when
people do land in the UK to seek
asylum, they go through the
proper system of assessment so
that we can ensure the right
people with real needs are getting
the assistance they require.’
Evidence indicates that
organised criminal outfi ts
are providing passage to
desperate people in return for
extortionate fees or services
when they arrive here: slavery
and enforced criminal activity
are the by-products of illegal
immigration. For many who
have been sold a ticket to a
dream life in Europe, there is
a hellish existence waiting for
them when they arrive.
Anyone who spots anything
suspicious is asked to call 101.
For Project Kraken alerts, follow
@HantspolMarine on Twitter.Private boats in Cherbourg are reportedly being targeted by illegal immigrantsA Border Force
vessel: there are
‘concerns that
improved security at
Calais is dispersing
refugees further
along the coast’JM EnaultCherbourg: could it become
‘the next Calais?’
Marine police warn boat owners not to be tempted to give passage
to illegal immigrants when crossing the Channel from Cherbourg
Chris Hall