Hi all just a warning for anyone going France Spain.
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Did you take them back to Border Force?
OP
OP
- Oct 2, 2021
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Yes the only way to help them
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We had the same, the French police saw him get under on CCTV. Then we had one jump on as we left the petrol station and another get on at the supermarket, luckily I felt the suspension drop and told him to clear off. I wouldn't even stop within 50 miles of Calais now, straight in on the motorway and straight into the terminal 
This happened to a friend of mine he got them out, they obviously thought he was catching a ferry home. He set off next day and after about a hundred miles he kept being tooted as cars went by. So he stopped and there was a pair of legs hanging down below the bike cover and a very small man got out. He was left there as they weren't going to take him back but he was very suprised to still be in France.
I am relieved for you that they didn't become violent when you said you were taking them back.
The problem is if they try to climb under your van and hang on ,it's the damage that can be caused ,to wiring pipework etc Bike racks weren't designed for the weight of a person plus bikes either. 
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It's remarkable that the racks can take all that weight - especially of more than one (even under-nourished) immigrant.
We had one in our bike rack under the cover at cite europe about four years ago. Luckily a chap nearby had seen him and let us know.
Make sure you check before heading to the port.
Make sure you check before heading to the port.
- Dec 24, 2014
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........but at least relieved to find that they hadn't gone home to Slough.
We managed to pick one up a couple of years ago whilst getting fuel in Calais - think we forgot to lock the passenger door and he must have hopped in whilst we were distracted by the payment machine (usual card didn't work) and hid in the shower. He got a bit of a surprise though when he realised we were heading south 
He wasn't aggressive or violent, in fact with hindsight he seemed pretty upset (that was probably because I was shouting at him) and when we pulled over onto the hard shoulder he apologised several times and left without any bother.
He wasn't aggressive or violent, in fact with hindsight he seemed pretty upset (that was probably because I was shouting at him) and when we pulled over onto the hard shoulder he apologised several times and left without any bother.
You have to be so careful they try anything when it’s too far to swim!
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- Oct 12, 2009
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Jonno1103
LIFE MEMBER
Securitas at Ouistreham climbed under ours on Saturday morning then placed a card on the windscreen once they'd searched both in and out. We won't use either the Aire or the check in lanes to overnight anymore. Tend to stay at Camping Des Capucines just over Pegasus Bridge at Ranville now.
- Jul 18, 2009
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Thanks for the info.
Nice Moho / RV by the way. I nearly bought one new, and second hand. Just never worked out for us.
Nice Moho / RV by the way. I nearly bought one new, and second hand. Just never worked out for us.
Alpine_wander
Free Member
- Mar 24, 2022
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Very lucky. With two migrants, minimum 130kg, in addition to the bikes. Did that not rip the rack out of the back wall?
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- Oct 12, 2009
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I have not crossed from Dunkirk for a couple of years, but is it still free of migrants?
Because there is only only one DFDS sailing every 2 hours there is never a queue, so one drives straight to check-in, so my theory was that there was no slow/stopped traffic to enable them to board.
Is that still the case?
We always used to stop the previous night at Bergues Aire and there was never a problem there. Maybe because migrants would not know which way you are going as people use it before and after a crossing. Also the road to the Aire is open to view so migrants would be visible for several hundred metres.
Because there is only only one DFDS sailing every 2 hours there is never a queue, so one drives straight to check-in, so my theory was that there was no slow/stopped traffic to enable them to board.
Is that still the case?
We always used to stop the previous night at Bergues Aire and there was never a problem there. Maybe because migrants would not know which way you are going as people use it before and after a crossing. Also the road to the Aire is open to view so migrants would be visible for several hundred metres.
We came back from Santander on the 22nd March the border guards were searching all the Motorhomes on the Spanish side as they had detained four migrants on the docks, when we got to Portsmouth every van was held whilst the interior, garage and bike rack were thoroughly checked. The Uk border officer mentioned they caught two people on this inside of the bike cover the previous week.
Is there still a 10 grand fine for us if we are caught with migrants in our vehicles in the UK ? Well done the Spanish border force, doing better than the French who wave migrants off from the beaches I think. Although I understand they are so fed up with it. If the French really clamped down on Migrants leaving their shores word would get around to the others that France is not worth going to anymore and they will stop camping in France and France will no longer have this problem, simples. Or am I missing something?
- Sep 29, 2019
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I have met migrants, loads of them fresh off lorries, without question they have always been polite, compliant and grateful.
I don’t doubt for a minute they are hardened people who have endured more than I can ever imagine. However, they aren’t going to hurt anyone unless threatened and in my view, searching for a better life should never be frowned upon or criticised.
If ever I was unlucky enough for one of them to access my vehicle, which is unlikely as we never stop near the border unless on a campsite, I would feel worse asking them to step off than I would smuggling them in. Not that I would ever do that, the smuggling gangs are abhorrent!
How lucky we are to have free passage to our wonderful country.
I don’t doubt for a minute they are hardened people who have endured more than I can ever imagine. However, they aren’t going to hurt anyone unless threatened and in my view, searching for a better life should never be frowned upon or criticised.
If ever I was unlucky enough for one of them to access my vehicle, which is unlikely as we never stop near the border unless on a campsite, I would feel worse asking them to step off than I would smuggling them in. Not that I would ever do that, the smuggling gangs are abhorrent!
How lucky we are to have free passage to our wonderful country.
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It always was. never seen a migrant anywhere near dunkirk.they walk past to get to Calais.
I think the main reason it is completely open from the A16 to the port & shortest distance is about 4km of completely open ground.
Another is there are no foot passengers on the ferries .
& normally there are so many vehicles in there that they would be noticed straight away
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Yes, we are so lucky
Jonno1103
LIFE MEMBER
It was seen a bit at Zierbena (Bilbao) back in 2019. The Guardia Civil had officers with binoculars on the storage sheds around the port. apparently stowaways would hide on board before getting into vehicles en route. It's why BF had what they termed 'technical difficulties' with Cap' Finistere heading north and would make a detour into Brest or there'd be a Helo drop.
Just a 'heads up',, ,beware of NEW regulations when driving in Spain. HEFTY fines are being imposed !!
- Mar 14, 2019
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I wonder whether the weight limit issue with bike racks is that they are hung onto the back wall of the vehicle, many of which are the laminated wall which I do not think would take much more weightThe problem is if they try to climb under your van and hang on ,it's the damage that can be caused ,to wiring pipework etc Bike racks weren't designed for the weight of a person plus bikes either.
599
Free Member
just left pidou at marck about 12 gimmigrunts hanging around police there watching 2 shouted take us to England parked up at our favourite Aire in marck 8 euros with electric been coming here for years since gravelines started to charge
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