Tunnel security (1 Viewer)

[chaser]

I might well be tempting fate here, but keep hearing about increased security at the border, but we go through about three times a year, each way, and we have never had anything but a wave through, never had anyone look in the van just the stick thing waved around the steering wheel and , off we go, came through last week and they were making ordinary vans open the back doors and stuff and even searching English cars with obvious holiday stuff on board.
Now, going through regular would make you think , they would think we are importing stuff, or something, but on the other hand we do book at least a month in front so they have plenty time to check us on their computer, don't know why it is and will probably have a full search next time, but it just seems odd.

 

[mikebeaches]

We went out at the end of May, and came back last week.

Waved straight through in both directions.

 

[jongood]

We were a good hour in the queue 2 weeks ago. Increased checks on the uk bit.

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[Deleted member 29692]

It might not be a politically correct thing to say but I'm sure they have profiles of the types of people that are likely to be "of interest" and I'm fairly sure that a middle aged or older white couple driving an expensive leisure vehicle doesn't fit any of those profiles.

They aren't that interested in someone bring back a few too many fags at the moment are they?

 

[John.]

Personally we don't mind any extra security checks or hold ups better to get there in one piece

 

[SM0129]

From France to U.K a fortnight ago they were checking all vehicles- went in back of van- checked under seats, washroom and all outside lockers.

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[chaser]

Personally we don't mind any extra security checks or hold ups better to get there in one piece

Absolutely, that is partly what I was getting at , we could have half a dozen illegals on board, but no one even looks through the door, and just because we are a pair of old white fogies doesn't mean we might be trying to make a bob or two.

 

[sallylillian]

Just came back from Santander to Plymouth, used to just go straight to border control as recent as last November, now MH's being diverted through lorry entrance and police presence investigating every MH, checking for illegals!

 

[chaser]

From France to U.K a fortnight ago they were checking all vehicles- went in back of van- checked under seats, washroom and all outside lockers.

That's what I hear , but not us, wish I hadn't started this now, we shall be locked up next time if security is reading this, just as a matter of interest though , how old are you, why did they look in your van?

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[Pia]

We came through the end of May and for the first time ever had to queue for the tunnel train at the Calais terminal...we were expecting it though so wasn't a problem...we didn't get searched in either direction....just waved through. It was all rather good for us as they moved us from the middle of a really long queue to a line that had only 2 motorhomes ahead of us.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

We had a French border control person come into the van once but I think she just wanted a nosey at the van, she didn't actually check or search anything.

 

[Pia]

We had a French border control person come into the van once but I think she just wanted a nosey at the van, she didn't actually check or search anything.

We have been boarded only once and the customs guy told my husband he wanted to have a look at the Eriba as he was thinking of buying one and he'd not seen inside one before....so he had a real good nosey.

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[SM0129]

That's what I hear , but not us, wish I hadn't started this now, we shall be locked up next time if security is reading this, just as a matter of interest though , how old are you, why did they look in your van?

47. They were checking every vehicle- it was 3 in the morning and relatively quiet

 

[chaser]

We came through the end of May and for the first time ever had to queue for the tunnel train at the Calais terminal...we were expecting it though so wasn't a problem...we didn't get searched in either direction....just waved through. It was all rather good for us as they moved us from the middle of a really long queue to a line that had only 2 motorhomes ahead of us.

Exactly what happened with us last Wednesday.

 

[Granjan]

Checked inside on our way out and when we came back to Portsmouth from Santander last week chap at passport office asked if we had checked our lockers and garage on returning to the vehicle, I said no so he came out of his kiosk and stood by while I opened garage and side locker, he then suggested I check the toilet and wardrobes which I quickly did. No check before we boarded the vessel.
We had a chap break into and try and get in an outside locker at Caen a couple of years ago so I know it happens. We were inside, lights off, heard him shuffling our stuff about, opened our hab door and he ran off.

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[Two on Tour]

Other than the steering wheel swab test the only other thing they have checked is that the LPG is turned off and that's normally a verbal.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

47. They were checking every vehicle- it was 3 in the morning and relatively quiet

That will have made a difference. They were probably bored.

If it had been 10am on the last day of the school holidays and there were 500 vehicles behind you they almost certainly wouldn't have bothered.

 

[Duck Truck]

We have been checked 4 times
twice are we carrying sharp knives
answer yes a drawer full

Then last april coming back
Armed soldiers with H & K's
mind you they jumped back quick when the lab went to give them a lick of welcome

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[Chris]

I have had the car searched about 4 times over the years but never the MH.

They got very suspicious with me once when I didn't know how to open the bonnet.

I found the lever to open the bonnet inside the car but couldn't find the lever under the bonnet to actually open it. Nor could they.

Eventually they got it open to discover - an engine.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Used the Ferry Cal/Dov last time,on the French side a nice chap had a look in the back,and under the bonnet,did the swob test and off we went.
Tea Bag

 

[iandsm]

Offender profiling is an essenti

It might not be a politically correct thing to say but I'm sure they have profiles of the types of people that are likely to be "of interest" and I'm fairly sure that a middle aged or older white couple driving an expensive leisure vehicle doesn't fit any of those profiles.

They aren't that interested in someone bring back a few too many fags at the moment are they?

Offender profiling is an essential part of prevention and detection, without it there is no starting point but it has to be remembered that some criminals fall outside recognosed profiles. Vigilance is the key

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[WillH]

We came through from France last week, didn't anyone notice they drove through X-ray machines on the French side? They would detect any bodies on board.

 

[scotzsue]

We have been checked a few times, first time new van new model they admitted they wanted a look as they hadn't seen one before. did a thorough check though. l ast time had a right laugh, John stores his bike helmet in the overcab, with bedding and foded memory foam it looked like someone was up there. Had to take it all out to prove there wasn't. Wont be doing that again.

 

[EuroTrotters]

It might not be a politically correct thing to say but I'm sure they have profiles of the types of people that are likely to be "of interest" and I'm fairly sure that a middle aged or older white couple driving an expensive leisure vehicle doesn't fit any of those profiles.

They aren't that interested in someone bring back a few too many fags at the moment are they?

I think that is liking to border control for anything inside the M25, if there were such a thing.
Do you think they would have let Darren Osbourne in from Cardiff with his Van?.

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[Vanderek]

We sailed from Portsmouth to Caen last Friday. We were the only motorhome.. Got searched as did many cars. The woman who did the search said they were checking 1 in 20 vehicles. Full mirror check underneath... She liked the interior and fabric colours though.

 

[jockaneezer]

Just like you said @WillH, last Tuesday we got directed to the hgv lane to go through the large x ray scanner, never had that before.

 

[mitzimad]

you were lucky we had the van dismantled by french soldiers and then a hundred yards further on in full view of the first, we had it dismantled by british security whilst i see the need for this level of security twice in one hundred yards is a total waste of resources
when i say dismantled i mean ever cupboard opened and rummaged through lockers opened both seats removed to expose the storage and bed lifted to inspect the same locker they had seen from outside

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[WillH]

Having been closely involved in ferry port security during my career I was very impressed at the level of discrete and overt security displayed in France. At one point whilst waiting to proceed I started counting the number of cameras I could see and lost count at over 50.

 

[JJ]

I'm fairly sure that a middle aged or older white couple driving an expensive leisure vehicle doesn't fit any of those profiles.

This has just given me a great idea...


JJ

 

[Camping Gaza]

I always take the ferry, and I always get a good checking out on the french side on my return. and it's thorough too with an armed police person asking me to open up, lifting up seats, looking in the shower room and asking me to open everything.

This has happened twice in one crossing. However on the UK side.... nada.

One thing I have not noticed is them checking underneath. even with a mirror.

Must be the way I look I think.... (note to self. remember to take of the spare tea towel and fan belts off the top of my head when passing through customs in France.)

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