UK international lorry drivers have said they feel problems with illegal stowaways are worse now then when fines were introduced in April 2000.
The survey by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) shows 85 per cent of lorry operators felt the situation was as bad or worse than when the fines were imposed. Three out of four drivers have experienced attempted or actual boardings of their vehicles by potential stowaways. One in four has experienced actual physical violence, while one in seven has received threats of violence.
Geoff Dossetter, head of external affairs with the FTA, said: 'The international road transport industry, and drivers in particular, continue to perform a vital job for our economy. But desperate stowaways are capable of desperate and violent acts and it is appalling that lorry drivers are not only subjected to such potential dangers when returning to the UK, but then face the prospect of a heavy fine if they fail to detect their unwelcome passengers.
'FTA continues to believe the UK government should concentrate on influencing France and Belgium to improve local security rather than target drivers in the UK. The transport industry is the victim of this problem not the cause.' The FTA's survey covered 29 companies, of which just one reported it had not taken new measures to prevent stowaway penetration.