Calais refugee camps 'brutally' cleared up in days leading up to Brexit

1 February 2020, 17:07

Calais refugee camps were increasingly cleared in the days leading up to Brexit
Calais refugee camps were increasingly cleared in the days leading up to Brexit. Picture: Getty

Calais refugee camps were "increasingly and brutally" cleared up in the weeks leading up to Brexit Day, says charity founder.

Police were seen clearing people out of tents and fencing off certain areas in the French port town, said Clare Moseley who founded Care4Calais.

The charity has been looking after people living in refugee camps in Calais and other towns across northern France and Belgium since 2016.

Ms Moseley described the situation as "horrible" when visiting one of the sites on Saturday, following the UK's exit from the European Union.

"As always the authorities' response here is always to do with security and deterrent, so in the run-up to Brexit we've seen extra clearances, we've seen more brutal attempts to get people out of here," she said.

"Taking away their tents, moving people away from areas, fencing off even more of the areas where they stay.

"It's been a horrible week, it's been very rough for a lot of the people here, spirits are very low and unfortunately that's always the political response."

Tents from refugee camps were cleared from Calais, said the charity founder
Tents from refugee camps were cleared from Calais, said the charity founder. Picture: PA

Calais' port and the Eurotunnel stations are prime areas for people to set up camp, in the hope of eventually reaching the UK.

Care4Calais has provided food, shelter and care mental health care - including suicide and self-harm prevention - since setting up more than three years ago.

However, Ms Moseley explained that she was worried conditions in the camps could get worse.

She said the political climate in the weeks after Brexit would encourage authorities to evict greater numbers of people from the areas.

The charity founder added: "Now Brexit has arrived I can only see things getting worse.

"Not so much because of Brexit, because the agreements here between France and the UK are just direct agreements, but in the political climate that we're in now, all they want to do is get rid of the refugees.

"It's the same policy they've been following for the last 10 years.

"It doesn't work, but what they believe is that if they make conditions hard enough, people will stop coming, so that's what they do, they make it as hard as they possibly can."

Ms Moseley still believes that the only way to solve the issues is to provide means for people to cross to the UK safely.

She added: "The crux of the problem is that there is no safe and legal way for people to make an asylum claim in the UK.

"To make an asylum claim in the UK, you have to physically be there, but there's no way to do that, so people have to keep trying illegally."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Daniel Graham, 39,(left) and Adam Carruthers, 32, who have been found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland.

Pair who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree to be sentenced

Aristocrat Constance Marten shouted 'it's a scam' from the doc as she was found guilty of manslaughter

Aristocratic killer Constance Martin had four children taken into care before death of newborn baby

Grants for new electric cars are being reintroduced after being scrapped in June 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

Grants for new electric cars to be brought back as drivers could claim thousands in discounts

There is a "real concern" over the wellbeing of doctors in training, the medical regulator has warned.

‘Real concern’ over wellbeing of doctors in training as number at ‘high risk of burnout’ doubles

An inspection of the prosecuting body found while the number of rape cases being charged is increasing, urgent improvements are needed to improve the chances of convictions once they get to court.

Watchdog slams CPS over rape case failings, warning victims are being let down at crucial early stage

British-US former professional kickboxer and controversial influencer Andrew Tate (C) and his brother Tristan Tate (back R) speak to journalists after having been released from detention in Bucharest, Romania on March 12, 2024.

Children will be taught how to combat misogyny and resist ‘incel culture’ in schools under new guidance

Members of a search and rescue team embrace as they visit a memorial wall for flood victims, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Emergency workers suspend search for survivors of catastrophic flooding in Texas amid new severe weather warnings

John Torode took to Instagram to tell fans that he allegedly made the remarks in 2018 or 2019 and that he had apologised immediately afterwards.

MasterChef's John Torode reveals allegation of racist language amid inquiry Into Gregg Wallace complaints

Locals living next to Clemence Road were ordered to leave their properties after the inferno set a light to shrubland, trees, fences and garden furniture in an area behind the street.

Inferno in Dagenham: Over 100 firefighters battle massive grass blaze as residents evacuated from homes

Saturday, Aug. 15, 1998 file photo showing Royal Ulster Constabulary Police officers stand on Market Street, the scene of a car bombing in the centre of Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Parliament watchdog to decide whether to release 15-year-old secret transcript in Omagh car bombing enquiry

The Spanish state has condemned Yamal, who celebrated his landmark birthday this weekend with around 200 people attending the private event

Spanish government to probe Lamine Yamal's birthday bash over 'dwarf exploitation' and 'paid breast size' guests

Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a German citizen but born in Chile, died in a plane crash at Southend Airport on Sunday.

Pictured: Flight nurse, 31, killed on her first day of the job in Southend Airport plane crash

Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe during the pre-season friendly match at Old Trafford, Manchester in 2021.

Manchester United sued by former player Axel Tuanzebe over alleged ‘clinical negligence’

As the couple were arrested, Marten can be heard questioning "how is that an arrest-able offence?"

‘How is that an arrestable offence?’: Constance Marten's arrogant response as police catch her after seven weeks on the run

The first glimpse of Dominic McLaughlin has been cast as Harry Potter.

Harry Potter TV series filming kicks off with first glimpse of leading star - as more cast announced

Blue Stevens, 24, died after he was attacked in Seville Street, Knightsbridge, at around 9.30pm on July 9.

Three arrested after man, 24, stabbed to death 'for his Rolex' near luxury Knightsbridge hotel