Calais migrants attack UK-bound lorries 'daily' as secure zone being built for drivers
ATTACKS on lorry drivers in Calais are happening almost DAILY as migrants threaten them and attack cabs, a haulage company has said.
Lorry firm calls for quick action over Calais attacks
Staff of the Kent based firm have had their windows smashed and watched helplessly as migrants scaled their lorries.
One was threatened with a gun, according to Mark Yates, who runs a firm in Dover.
Thousands of migrants are living around Calais, many of them in the camp known as the Jungle.
Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said a new "secure zone" at Calais for UK-bound lorries is being created to tackle the problem costing firms "tens of thousands" this year alone.
Lorry drivers have been attacked repeatedly in Calais where they are forced to wait in long lines
Migrants are throwing boulders, bricks, even a 10-foot spear from a bridge which went through a cab window
Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, said action is needed now.
"Migrants are throwing boulders, bricks, even a 10-foot spear from a bridge which went through a cab window," he said.
"There's a massive risk a driver is going to get killed. The problem is it's not being contained."
Thousands of migrants desperate to find a new home in Europe are stranded in the camp
Mr Yates said many of his staff have been set upon.
He said: "[My drivers] are reporting problems on weekly basis, sometimes on a daily basis. The situation seems to be getting worse.
"One driver has had a pistol shown at him. We've had drivers on the phone while it's been happening, explaining they have guys climbing all over their truck, and you just feel so helpless.
"All you can do is tell them to phone the French emergency number, but for all intents and purposes they're on their own."
Refugees spilling out from the camp have climbed into lorries
Minister James Brokenshire said it was "in all of our interest to combat attempts to enter the UK illegally".
He said: "We continue to work closely with the French authorities at both political and operational levels on a package of measures to bolster ports in northern France."
In the summer drivers reported attacks becoming more frequent, with some migrants being armed with knives.