Thousands of attempts by migrants to hide in vehicles

Migrants made several thousand attempts last year to hide on UK-bound vehicles at the Channel ports.

Figures obtained by BBC South East show there were 5,874 detections at ports on the continent, including Calais, Dunkirk and the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, compared with 4,794 in 2023.

Security was stepped up at ports on the continent after more than 56,000 detections were made in 2016.

The government said it was taking the necessary steps to clamp down on all forms of people smuggling.

More migrants have crossed in small boats since 2018, but a recent report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, said "the threat of clandestine entry at the juxtaposed ports remains high and is unrelenting".

David Bolt, the inspector, said: "Border Force resources and capabilities are stretched, and its operations and those of its security contractors are closely monitored by migrants and by smuggling gangs to identify and be ready to exploit any weaknesses.

"It's therefore vital that Border Force continues to invest in staff, detection equipment, and IT systems at the juxtaposed ports."

Last week people smugglers who tried to bring five Vietnamese migrants into the UK hidden under rubbish in a van were jailed after it was searched at the Eurotunnel terminal in Coquelles.

Previous BBC research discovered that over a 10-year period, civil penalties totalling more than £60m have been issued to lorry drivers.

Under increased fines, introduced in 2023, any hauliers found to be carrying an illegal migrant can face a fine of up to £10,000 for each "clandestine entrant".

Border Force issued 1,787 fines to hauliers in 2024-25, according to a Freedom of Information request by BBC South East.

Lucy Moreton from the Immigration Services Union previously told the BBC how all types of road vehicles are targeted.

"It's not always a lorry of course, campervans are at risk," she said.

"People towing their caravans have found people inside them."

Tourist traffic can also be fined. Last month a couple from Kent who were fined £3,000 for unknowingly driving two Sudanese migrants through Calais in a campervan had the penalty rescinded.

In a similar case, a couple from Essex had their £1,500 fine overturned after a migrant was found zipped inside the cover of a bike rack on the back of their motorhome after returning from France.

Before reaching the UK control zones, a tourist or freight vehicle will pass through controls operated by the port and French authorities, involving one or more checks by the port authority or security contractors working on its behalf.

On entry into the UK control zone, a vehicle may be searched by Border Force or one of its contractors.

Scanners, dogs and carbon dioxide probes can be used to detect people on board vehicles.

Tony Smith, former head of UK Border Force, said: "The juxtaposed controls at French feeder ports provide a critical component of UK border security, including preventing illegal entry.

"Without these controls, the numbers coming across from France would be significantly higher than they are already."

He said it was "vital" that Border Force continued to invest in controls to "maximise our chances of detecting illegal entrants".

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Border Force officers have discovered inhumane cases of migrants being crammed into the backs of lorries or heavy-goods vehicles for many years.

"We are introducing measures in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to allow government and law enforcement agencies to work closer than ever with the DVLA to intercept threats when a suspicious vehicle enters the UK."

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