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Calais migrant crisis: UK-French centre to tackle traffickers

The UK and France have announced new measures to prevent "undocumented migrants" entering the Channel Tunnel by tackling the criminals who smuggle them to Calais and across the Channel.

The plans include the creation of a joint police operation aimed at tackling the people-smugglers who profit from the desperation of those trying to reach British shores.

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French need to do more to battle Calais crisis, says MP

Mr Collins said the French government needed to put more resources into defending the area. Credit: Damian Collins/Facebook

French authorities have "allowed people willingly to break into the Channel Tunnel site" and need to do more to enforce restrictions, Folkestone MP Damian Collins has said.

The Conservative MP welcomed further investment in security but warned it would not address the whole problem.

It's partly an issue of enforcement from French authorities. They have allowed people willingly to break into the Channel Tunnel site. I can't believe they would be that lax in protecting an airport or another sensitive facility.

I can't remember an incident at the Channel Tunnel site in Folkestone where people, be they strikers or migrants, have broken into the site and entered secure areas. The French government needs to put more of its own resources into defending the tunnel and the port.

– Damian Collins MP

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