Protestors block roads near Calais demanding more police for migrants
Local people blocked roads and police joined a protest in Calais, to demand more police officers. They say there are not enough to cope with the large number of migrants transiting the area in the hope of crossing to Britain.
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Just before 11 a.m, farmers and agriculture workers blocked or slowed traffic heading towards Boulogne-sur-mer, with about 30 tractors, ten lorries and hundreds of cars
Local authorities say between 200 and 500 people gathered in Calais.
“The police can no longer assure the security of local Calais people or indeed themselves, that’s why we are asking the Interior ministry to increase numbers”, said police union spokesperson. Thierry Depuyt.
“We intend this to be a peaceful protest, with no racial connotations,” he said, estimating that there were currently between 2,000 and 2,500 migrants in Calais, hoping to get to Britain.
The authorities in Calais put the figure at 1400 to 1500 illegal migrants, mostly from Sudan or Eritrea.
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