Calais People-Smugglers

[naomi24]

This report from the BBC tonight.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-37186868

Really frightening I thought. Time to call the military in?

[Mamyalynne]

It's obvious the Military are needed - they know it's happening it needs stamping on immediately.

[agchristie]

I'd say so Naomi.Such ambushing needs to be addressed robustly.

[naomi24]

I couldn't believe what I was watching!! How on earth can that be happening?!!

[agchristie]

'We'll fight on the beaches and on the roads'....

[Jackdaw33]

Yes, and if not the French military, then the British.

[Mamyalynne]

My Daughter and 3 of my Grandchildren are coming back that route this weekend - as always I shall be climbing the walls till I know they are safe.

That of course goes for everyone , everyday.

[naomi24]

I have people coming back via that route this weekend too. Can't bear to think of it.

[naomi24]

Jackdaw, the French Military should be there - and they should be allowed to do the job. This is just dreadful!!

[Jackdaw33]

Why don't people go via Newhaven - Dieppe or Southampton - Le Havre? Longer sea crossings but much safer.

[naomi24]

Jackdaw, true, but that doesn't cure the problem.

[naomi24]

A realistic big gun would be more effective!

[agchristie]

Or a roadside stinger that takes out all those intent on causing trouble!

[Jackdaw33]

Yes, and I fear that blood will be shed before this is sorted.

[naomi24]

Let's hope it's theirs.

[Hypognosis]

They're dishing out the (rather too obvious) advice to not travel at night but I guess holidaymakers have zero control over their ferry timings, other than that they have to choose them months in advance, at the bookings stage?

I have to phrase this as a question as I don't travel.

Will this end up with night/early dawn sailings becoming so unpopular that they're withdrawn altogether?

[Old_Geezer]

Good point. It is totally unacceptable for the police to declare the public road a 'no go area'. The French police and French authorities should be ashamed. And yes it does seem as if the inability (or lack of will) to deal with the issue has encouraged it to change into a military control required situation.

[Hypognosis]

I can understand why the journalist found it a frightening situation but maybe that was because his team had the benefit of night-vision-grade cameras.

It would be several times more frightening to, first, encounter a (supposedly) fallen tree, picked out in your headlights, then find people coming out of the pitch black, at the side of the road and rapping on your side windows (lorry height), with a big stick. Worse yet, weapons unseen but all too easily imagined.

The problem, for the police is that sending a car (2 persons) to deal with an infraction at the level of obstructing the highway, or even 2 cars risks putting the officers in the situation of being on foot, having left the cars unlocked and finding themselves rapidly outflanked by a crowd of 20. If taken by surprise, from behind they could have their weapon snatched.

Troops does seem like a sledgehammer to crack the proverbial nut but they can be turned out, in appropriate numbers and, with luck cause aggressors to back away from the situation and let drivers be.

No shooting should be required BUT the armed forces are at a permanent disadvantage in that they are expected to wait until fired upon, not fire the first shots. Retaining the moral high ground always costs one (or more) soldiers' lives.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Bunch of thugs? Sort it out? Isn't that what civil societies do?

[TWR]

Sorry Naomi, I never seen this until Ummmm said you had a post re / the same.x