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15/11/2004
UK and France to cooperate more closely on illegal immigration
There will be greater cooperation between Britain and France in tackling illegal immigration to the UK, it has been revealed today.
New joint operations will see the roll out of new hi-tech freight searching equipment at Dunkirk to detect stowaways in vehicles. National agencies will also work closely together to share expertise and resources on the removal of failed asylum seekers, and disrupt gangs of people smugglers.
The Home Office has said that co-operation with the French government – closing Sangatte, improving security around the channel tunnel terminal, freight searching, and the set up full UK immigration controls in France – has been a "key factor" in cutting the UK's asylum claims by 70% in the past two years.
Numbers of illegal immigrants picked up in Dover have gone from more than 2,000 in July 2002, to less than 200 in June 2004, according to Home Office figures.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "The reduction in illegal immigration to the UK is a huge achievement, and one which has only been possible through ongoing, close co-operation with the French government."
The UK and French governments are also planning a joint UK-French removals charter flight before the end of this year.
(gmcg)
New joint operations will see the roll out of new hi-tech freight searching equipment at Dunkirk to detect stowaways in vehicles. National agencies will also work closely together to share expertise and resources on the removal of failed asylum seekers, and disrupt gangs of people smugglers.
The Home Office has said that co-operation with the French government – closing Sangatte, improving security around the channel tunnel terminal, freight searching, and the set up full UK immigration controls in France – has been a "key factor" in cutting the UK's asylum claims by 70% in the past two years.
Numbers of illegal immigrants picked up in Dover have gone from more than 2,000 in July 2002, to less than 200 in June 2004, according to Home Office figures.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "The reduction in illegal immigration to the UK is a huge achievement, and one which has only been possible through ongoing, close co-operation with the French government."
The UK and French governments are also planning a joint UK-French removals charter flight before the end of this year.
(gmcg)
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