Logistics operators are increasingly fearful of violence after a lorry driver was threatened with a chainsaw during a night of violence in Calais this week.
According to the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the growing number of migrants desperate to reach Britain in the wake of the Brexit vote is leading to problems at the Jungle camp. More than 7,000 people are now based at the controversial site - more than at the peak of last summer's unrest.
Migrants reportedly set fire to barricades across the motorway to stop trucks, with one Belgian driver threatened with a chainsaw. His company has warned that deaths could follow if action is not taken.
“These drivers are just trying to do their job, moving goods from Europe to the UK through the country’s busiest port,' said Chris Yarsley, FTA’s EU affairs manager.'Attacks like this are unacceptable and more needs to be done to protect them as they go about their work.
“A robust process must be put in place to quickly deal with applications from genuine asylum seekers rather than economic migrants and move them out ofthe camp. Relocating the camp away from the port would prevent therelentlessattacks on commercial vehiclespassing close by and allow our members to carry out their job without fear of attack or fines for unwittingly carrying migrants on their trucks.”
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