Take care if using Ouistreham (Caen) Ferry Port (1 Viewer)

Mar 8, 2016
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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.
 

Khizzie

Free Member
Jul 26, 2014
3,794
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Le Repaire,Thiviers,France
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since 2002
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.
Thanks I will be aware as I will be there Wednesday for 1400hrs ferry .
 
Sep 3, 2012
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Cheshire
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C Class Elddis 175
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8+ years
We were at the Ouistreham aire last September on our way south. We did notice several young black males wearing too many clothes for the time of year, and it was hot, so we were on guard. Although we had no issues, a Brit van pulled in that had just been to the Carrefour supermarket and found on their way back to the van 2 young black lads had climbed onto their cycles on top of the bike rack under the bike cover and were barely visible . they happened to notice some movement. Once discovered the youths ran off. They removed the heavy duty bike cover for their onward travels.
Be careful out there.
 

GWAYGWAY

Free Member
Sep 6, 2014
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We always keep the hab door locked unless we are using it, the other door is a right paff to use as it is on the left (drivers door in Europe) so it is really the only one. We also have a second Yale deadlock as the hymer one seems like it could be fiddled open, when we are parked up visiting somwhere. I was also going to fit two more yales to the garage doors, better than the two twistcatches they fit standard.
 
Apr 25, 2012
794
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Near Truro, Cornwall
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A Class
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This is a good post. We came home via Ouistreham last September and although we had no experiences like this, the security guards and the police were patrolling up and down between the vans waiting to embark and were rounding up a few young black males. We had seen some of them walking up and down looking around the vehicles, well-dressed, with mobile phones which they were obviously using to let their mates know the lie of the land. True refugees? I don't think so! Economic chancers more like. I wonder how long it will be before they are at every port? We will be using Roscoff out and back in May and June and last time we travelled that route, three years ago, there was no sign of them.
Gary
 
OP
OP
M
Mar 8, 2016
725
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Lancashire
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PVC
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Since 2009
Yes, I agree we always keep the hab door locked. Normally if refuelling the cab doors would be unlocked but the hab door locked. It was the fact we tried to be extra secure by locking the cab doors as well. We had used the remote which locked everything but we hadn’t registered the fact that in unlocking to get back in the cab the hab door unlocked as well. It wasn’t for long, just long enough for us both to get into the cab but in this short space of time the hab door was unlocked.

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OP
OP
M
Mar 8, 2016
725
1,575
Lancashire
Funster No
41,919
MH
PVC
Exp
Since 2009
I forgot to mention that whilst waiting in line on the port we were right next to the HGV inspection area. In the time we were there we saw 3 lads removed from the back of one lorry and another from underneath a lorry. All were taken into a side building but it then appeared they were just escorted off the port premises.
 

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