Calais chainsaw threat prompts FTA call for action

The FTA has called for more protection at Calais after a truck driver was threatened with a chainsaw during what the association described as ‘a night of violence’.

According to the FTA migrants at Calais set fire to barricades across the motorway to stop trucks, with the Belgian driver reportedly threatened with a chainsaw when it attempted to reach the port.

“These drivers are just trying to do their job, moving goods from Europe to the UK through the country’s busiest port,” said Chris Yarsley, FTA’s EU affairs manager. “Attacks like this are unacceptable and more needs to be done to protect them as they go about their work.

“A robust process must be put in place to quickly deal with applications from genuine asylum seekers rather than economic migrants and move them out of the camp.

“Relocating the camp away from the port would prevent the relentless attacks on commercial vehicles passing close by and allow our members to carry out their job without fear of attack or fines for unwittingly carrying migrants on their trucks.”