I'm not wanting to worry people but thought I would just let you know what happened to us when we were at the above port on Friday last week. This all happened in daylight, 3.00 in the afternoon.
We missed getting fuel before reaching Ouistreham as the fuel station we tried wouldn't accept our card in the machine. As we drove towards the town we could see groups of 'illegal migrants' milling around. As we pulled into the fuel station next to the Lidl & Carrefour a group of 3 young lads sauntered across. Once I had sorted the card payment on the pump I told my husband I would walk round to the other side of the van as he filled up. As I did I was just in time to catch one of the lads kneeling down looking under or trying to get under our van, I shouted and he and his mates moved off grinning at me. While refuelling my husband had locked the vans doors so I told him to get in the van & I would watch until he had started the engine and was ready to move off. I then went round and got in the passenger door. We were just moving off when the habitation door swung open & one of the lads was getting in the van. Fortunately I hadn't sat & belted myself in at that point so shot back shouting at the top of my voice. I even got there before our dog!! Anyway out he went & just stood & grinned at us. What had happened was that in locking & unlocking the doors we had used the remote on the key fob, this had unlocked the hab door at the same time as the cab doors & he was able to use that short period of time to get in!!
To say it was a frightening experience would be an understatement, we drove straight to the port & stayed there within sight of all the security until it was time to board.
Apparently, according to security the area around the supermarkets & fuel station are favourite places for attempts to be made at getting on board whatever transport they can.
Once in the port we were checked inside & out on a couple of occasions & also when we reached Portsmouth which is reassuring.
We have used both the campsite & the Aire at the port on previous occasions, not again we just felt very uncomfortable.
There were a couple of motorhomes parked in the town but we wouldn't even do that now.
As I said I'm not trying to frighten anyone but just to say Please be extra vigilant whichever port you use.
We missed getting fuel before reaching Ouistreham as the fuel station we tried wouldn't accept our card in the machine. As we drove towards the town we could see groups of 'illegal migrants' milling around. As we pulled into the fuel station next to the Lidl & Carrefour a group of 3 young lads sauntered across. Once I had sorted the card payment on the pump I told my husband I would walk round to the other side of the van as he filled up. As I did I was just in time to catch one of the lads kneeling down looking under or trying to get under our van, I shouted and he and his mates moved off grinning at me. While refuelling my husband had locked the vans doors so I told him to get in the van & I would watch until he had started the engine and was ready to move off. I then went round and got in the passenger door. We were just moving off when the habitation door swung open & one of the lads was getting in the van. Fortunately I hadn't sat & belted myself in at that point so shot back shouting at the top of my voice. I even got there before our dog!! Anyway out he went & just stood & grinned at us. What had happened was that in locking & unlocking the doors we had used the remote on the key fob, this had unlocked the hab door at the same time as the cab doors & he was able to use that short period of time to get in!!
To say it was a frightening experience would be an understatement, we drove straight to the port & stayed there within sight of all the security until it was time to board.
Apparently, according to security the area around the supermarkets & fuel station are favourite places for attempts to be made at getting on board whatever transport they can.
Once in the port we were checked inside & out on a couple of occasions & also when we reached Portsmouth which is reassuring.
We have used both the campsite & the Aire at the port on previous occasions, not again we just felt very uncomfortable.
There were a couple of motorhomes parked in the town but we wouldn't even do that now.
As I said I'm not trying to frighten anyone but just to say Please be extra vigilant whichever port you use.