Migrants clash with police in Calais
LILLE, France:French police clashed with stone-throwing migrants near the northern French port of Calais on Thursday, leading the local mayor to call for their camp to be "immediately dismantled". Police were trying to carry out security checks at the camp in Teteghem, near Calais, which they say is controlled by
By our correspondents
October 30, 2015
LILLE, France:French police clashed with stone-throwing migrants near the northern French port of Calais on Thursday, leading the local mayor to call for their camp to be "immediately dismantled".
Police were trying to carry out security checks at the camp in Teteghem, near Calais, which they say is controlled by people smugglers.
Teteghem mayor Franck Dhersin described the camp as a "lawless zone".
"I am asking for the immediate dismantling of the camp, if necessary by force," he told AFP. "The camp has always been in the hands of smugglers. It’s a mafia that functions like a drug gang." He said the smugglers that have been arrested in the region were only "small fish", and blamed the British government for failing to target their bosses whom he said were based in Britain.
Nearly 250 people currently live in the Teteghem camp -- mostly Syrians, but also Iraqis, Iranians and a small number of Vietnamese.
It is thought to house better-funded migrants, who can afford to pay thousands of euros to be smuggled in vehicles across the Channel to Britain.
Some 6,000 poorer migrants are gathered a few kilometres away at the "New Jungle" camp in Calais, hoping to find their own ways of sneaking into the Channel Tunnel or aboard ships.
Although the camp has excited huge interest in France and Britain, the numbers are tiny compared to other countries, notably Germany which is expected to receive up to a million people this year.
Police were trying to carry out security checks at the camp in Teteghem, near Calais, which they say is controlled by people smugglers.
Teteghem mayor Franck Dhersin described the camp as a "lawless zone".
"I am asking for the immediate dismantling of the camp, if necessary by force," he told AFP. "The camp has always been in the hands of smugglers. It’s a mafia that functions like a drug gang." He said the smugglers that have been arrested in the region were only "small fish", and blamed the British government for failing to target their bosses whom he said were based in Britain.
Nearly 250 people currently live in the Teteghem camp -- mostly Syrians, but also Iraqis, Iranians and a small number of Vietnamese.
It is thought to house better-funded migrants, who can afford to pay thousands of euros to be smuggled in vehicles across the Channel to Britain.
Some 6,000 poorer migrants are gathered a few kilometres away at the "New Jungle" camp in Calais, hoping to find their own ways of sneaking into the Channel Tunnel or aboard ships.
Although the camp has excited huge interest in France and Britain, the numbers are tiny compared to other countries, notably Germany which is expected to receive up to a million people this year.
-
New Guest Host Announced For The Kelly Clarkson Show -
Why Prince William’s Statement Over Jeffrey Epstein ‘says A Lot’ -
Paul McCrane Reveals Why Playing Jerks Became His Calling Card -
Prince William, Kate Middleton Thrashed For Their ‘bland’ Epstein Statement -
Bad Bunny Stunned Jennifer Grey So Much She Named Dog After Him -
Kim Kardashian's Plans With Lewis Hamilton After Super Bowl Meet-up -
Prince William Traumatised By ‘bizarre Image’ Uncle Andrew Has Brought For Royals -
David Thewlis Gets Candid About Remus Lupin Fans In 'Harry Potter' -
Cardi B And Stefon Diggs Spark Breakup Rumours After Super Bowl LX -
Alix Earle And Tom Brady’s Relationship Status Revealed After Cosy Super Bowl 2026 Outing -
Why King Charles Has ‘no Choice’ Over Andrew Problem -
Shamed Andrew Wants ‘grand Coffin’ Despite Tainting Nation -
Keke Palmer Reveals How Motherhood Prepared Her For 'The Burbs' Role -
King Charles Charms Crowds During Lancashire Tour -
‘Disgraced’ Andrew Still Has Power To Shake King Charles’ Reign: Expert -
Why Prince William Ground Breaking Saudi Tour Is Important