RHA calls for troops to protect drivers using Calais

Aug 23 | 2017

After another night of violence in Calais the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has repeated its call for the immediate deployment of the French military to bring the situation under control.

Gangs of migrants clashed with police on the Port approach roads and Eurotunnel and a number of arrests were made.

The RHA has constantly warned of the situation spiralling out of control and the recent brawls over the last two nights involving up to 200 angry migrants are a clear indication that this has happened.

RHA Director of Policy, Rod McKenzie, speaking on BBC Radio Kent said, "Our members are terrified and angry. Gangs of marauding migrants, often armed with iron bars are attacking their vehicles. The police are heavily outnumbered and it’s clear that they can no longer cope with the ever-increasing numbers trying to make the crossing to the UK."

“We hear of drivers refusing to make the journey between Dover and Calais while many hauliers are rerouting their vehicles around the Port at a cost of many thousands of pounds.”