Doors being tried in the night - Calais

The Wyman's

The Wyman's

Joined
Jun 1, 2016
Posts
65
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Location
Chesham
Funster No
43,397
MH
A class
Exp
Since April 2016
I hope the Funster on the Calais Aire who we are parked near (Approach SE 740) were not disturbed by the group of immigrants trying door handles just after 23.00 last night.

Our 5m LED awning light was not to their liking and they disappeared into the night. Will make a good inspection of the garage and underside later.
 
Very high level of security at the tunnel when we came home on Thursday.
French soldiers armed to the teeth wanted to look inside the van, although it was a very cursory look, then a dog sniffed all around every motorhome and van.

Just make sure you don’t have any unwanted passengers.

Richard.
 
We were at Ouistreham last weekend and saw no 'Illegals' activity at all.
We were there for more than just arrival rather than just 'Straight to the Port and the Port authorities were more relaxed than 'Normal' They were only checking panel vans (not converted) and left us and the couple in the Bailey behind us unchecked.
 
Speve said:
What aire were you on? The newish one near the beach ?
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Are you referring to the Sangatte Aire or the one on Rue d’Asfeld?

Ian
 
bigtwin said:
Are you referring to the Sangatte Aire or the one on Rue d’Asfeld?

Ian
Click to expand...

Think the OP is referring to the latter one, the new aire adjacent to Camping Le Grand Gravlot.

There have been previous recent reports of migrant activity at this aire. We stayed at Sangatte aire 6 weeks ago and didn't experience any problems. Also, more convenient for the tunnel.
 
Wagoneer said:
Think the OP is referring to the latter one, the new aire adjacent to Camping Le Grand Gravlot.

There have been previous recent reports of migrant activity at this aire. We stayed at Sangatte aire 6 weeks ago and didn't experience any problems. Also, more convenient for the tunnel.
Click to expand...

My question was to Speve (“the newish one near the beach”) not the OP.

Ian
 
At Cite Europe Camper parking last night 6/2/20 got woken at midnight by two security guards banging on the door, telling us and another van to move off the car park as a gang of migrants lingering around the site would possibly try to break into our van, we saw the group and felt threatened, so went to eurotunnel twelve hours earlier than planned. Euro staff really helpful put us on the next train at 1.20am and only paid another 7€ for changing the ticket.
 
Janette and Graham said:
At Cite Europe Camper parking last night 6/2/20 got woken at midnight by two security guards banging on the door, telling us and another van to move off the car park as a gang of migrants lingering around the site would possibly try to break into our van, we saw the group and felt threatened, so went to eurotunnel twelve hours earlier than planned. Euro staff really helpful put us on the next train at 1.20am and only paid another 7€ for changing the ticket.
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Is it now open for overnighting again or were you unaware that they no longer allow overnighting?

Ian

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Janette and Graham said:
At Cite Europe Camper parking last night 6/2/20 got woken at midnight by two security guards banging on the door, telling us and another van to move off the car park as a gang of migrants lingering around the site would possibly try to break into our van, we saw the group and felt threatened, so went to eurotunnel twelve hours earlier than planned. Euro staff really helpful put us on the next train at 1.20am and only paid another 7€ for changing the ticket.
Click to expand...

Welcome to MHFun....bit late, I know, since you registered in July 2017. Lots of posts on here recently about NOT parking at Cite Europe. There is a small notice at the entrance about no overnight parking.
 
We had stayed there two years ago with no problem. When we arrived, three other vans had set up so thought it was ok. The security guards told us to go on to the Lidl car park but we didn’t fancy it too noisy and didn’t look safe.
 
bigtwin said:
Are you referring to the Sangatte Aire or the one on Rue d’Asfeld?

Ian
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Not Sangatte is that free from itinerant travellers now? as apparently there were a lot there a few weeks back?
Rue d’Asfeld if that’s the one near Bleureot plage yes.
 
Speve said:
Not Sangatte is that free from itinerant travellers now? as apparently there were a lot there a few weeks back?
Rue d’Asfeld if that’s the one near Bleureot plage yes.
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It is.

Ian
 
And a post script about migrant activity during the day at Citi of Europe. We went shopping after discussing the nights events with the Funster who did not hear a thing and was sleeping soundly. We know that someone tried one of our doors as they caused the step to extend. When we returned after shopping we saw a young man detach from a group of about five migrants near the shop and work round the car park trying door handles of vans and Motorhomes parked up, all British. We watched him leave and warned one of the drivers of a works van. This confirms a higher level of migrant activity in Calais, certainly higher than when we last passed through six months ago. They are not trying to hide what they do and presumably are successful from time to time with an unlocked door. So I think usual drill applies, assume that if you leave any door unlocked in Calais, even if you are in the vehicle, you risk an unwelcome visitor. Double check for unwelcome guests before you check in. Stay safe!

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We have for years stayed on the marina car park and enjoyed a meal and bottle of wine in Le Detroit restaurant but last time we stayed there we had migrants trying to break in at 1.30 am.We didn’t sleep the rest of the night so it’s Gravelines for us now.Stayed two nights last year and had cracking meal in the new restaurant next to Aire!,(not cheap) but finished the holiday off nicely?
 
Personally, I wouldn’t overnight near any port again. We stayed in Dieppe at the aire outside the ferry terminal. Whilst I filled up with water at the bourne, I had two guys just stand and stare at me the whole time I was filling up. Same two were then part of a group trying door handles and checking bikes on all of the parked vans at midnight. We ended up moving on.
I worry more about the possible damage that they’d do to my van rather than my personal safety - although it would put my wife off motorhoming for good if one got inside the van.
There’s plenty of choice and reference manuals such as all the aires and camper contact for searching for an alternative if things don’t seem right when you arrive. If it doesn’t look/seem right, move on.

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robrace said:
We have for years stayed on the marina car park and enjoyed a meal and bottle of wine in Le Detroit restaurant but last time we stayed there we had migrants trying to break in at 1.30 am.We didn’t sleep the rest of the night so it’s Gravelines for us now.Stayed two nights last year and had cracking meal in the new restaurant next to Aire!,(not cheap) but finished the holiday off nicely?
Click to expand...
Best advice is not to stay at Gravelines now, apparently there have been recent migrant incidents there also.
Get off the ferry/chunnel and its pedal to the metal, get as far away from all ports as possible, coming home, stay on an aire but at least 25K from the ports and you should be safer.
I used to like shopping at Auchan supermarket Calais, was even considering City de Europe, but not know, saving a few quid on booze is not worth the risk or the agg.
LES
 
bigtwin said:
?????

The OP was posted today.

What was over a month ago?

Ian
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The date in the post. See here



At Cite Europe Camper parking last night 6/2/20 got woken at midnight by two security guards banging on the door, telling us and another van to move off the car park as a gang of migrants lingering around the site would possibly try to break into our van, we saw the group and felt threatened, so went to eurotunnel twelve hours earlier than planned. Euro staff really helpful put us on the next train at 1.20am and only paid another 7€ for changing the ticket.
 
obanvanman said:
I am sorry....but...

With all of the recent posts, films of people in MHs, stories of Police activity.

WHY IS ANYONE ON THIS FORUM STAYING ANYWHERE NEAR CALAIS?
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I really don’t understand it. Why take the risk for a bit of shopping? We never stay anywhere within an hour’s drive of the tunnel, usually more. If you have to get an early train just get up earlier!
 
Obviously nothings changed in over a month then if you’ve seen it posted over a month ago and then again yesterday.
More reason to be vigilant if staying there or avoid it if concerned
 
Approx 30 min radius of Calais

533D4AFB-2E56-43FF-A36E-37DE5280DCCC.png
 
bigtwin said:
?????

The OP was posted today.

What was over a month ago?

Ian
Click to expand...

nicholsong said:
The date in the post. See here

At Cite Europe Camper parking last night 6/2/20 got woken at midnight by two security guards banging on the door, telling us and another van to move off the car park as a gang of migrants lingering around the site would possibly try to break into our van, we saw the group and felt threatened, so went to eurotunnel twelve hours earlier than planned. Euro staff really helpful put us on the next train at 1.20am and only paid another 7€ for changing the ticket.
Click to expand...

Doh! :doh:

However, my question remains valid as gus-lopez points out below its been closed (and widely discussed on here) for some time now (I think before December in any case).

gus-lopez said:
I thought that got stopped in December 2019?
Click to expand...

Ian
 
I haven't felt safe staying near Calais for years, I always get an early train to France and put 100 miles in before stopping. On the way home I book a site, a few miles away from Calais, for 2 or 3 nights to relax after the drive and get the dog wormed by a local vet plus a lunch or 2 in the old town of Boulogne

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