Local residents near Dunkirk have voiced their outrage as French authorities upgrade facilities at the region’s largest migrant camp, amid ongoing nightly violence.
Loon-Plage camp, near Dunkirk, is being fitted with multiple toilet blocks, shuttle buses, showers, gym facilities, and regular refuse collections, all aimed at improving conditions for the migrants housed there.
Residents, however, say the improvements are happening against a backdrop of unrest, with explosions, clashes with police, and vandalism occurring in nearby towns on a nightly basis.
GB News Home and Security editor Mark White reported that riot police have been deployed to confront violent incidents, including attacks on local property and confrontations with migrants.
Mark said that the new facilities may encourage more migrants to attempt crossing the English Channel, undermining French authorities’ attempts to deter them.
Speaking on The People’s Channel today, and showing viewers a video of the unrest in a small village, Mark explained: “This is Petit Fort Philippe, not too far from Grand-Fort-Philippe, which is where we saw tear gas being deployed over the weekend.
“This is another example, just in recent days, of the disorder that people are facing in these towns around Dunkirk and Calais.
“Violence and clashes are occurring nightly, with police cars belonging to local residents being smashed up. Riot police are deployed in the early hours of the morning, firing volleys of tear gas.
Mark White said that locals are very upset
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“Fully clad riot police, shields in hand, are entering neighbourhoods and even crossing back gardens to confront migrants who are becoming increasingly violent.”
He added: “Local residents are understandably upset about the provision of these facilities at the biggest migrant camp in the area.
“Because, what this is far from deterring migrants from crossing the English Channel. It’s going to encourage many, many more to come, knowing that they’re being looked after.
“Once they get into the water, we know they’re escorted across the English Channel by the French to UK waters, where they’re picked up by the British and then taken to Dover Harbour.”
Plush new toilets have been installed in the camp
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GB News host Martin Daubney said: “Of course, some people would say nobody wants migrants to be treated inhumanely.
“But you have to feel for the locals in those towns, who have been dealing with marauding, crime-ridden violence night after night, along with festering rubbish.
“Shuttle buses, gym memberships, shower facilities. All that’s missing is the scented candles and the spa.”
Mark responded: “Well, yeah, you certainly have a point. I wouldn’t necessarily want to spend a holiday there myself, but there is no doubt that the facilities being laid on for these migrants go against the thrust of what the French authorities are trying to achieve.
“Over the last year or two, they have been regularly entering these camps, Loon-Plage and elsewhere along the northern coast of France, clearing them out, demolishing tents and other man-made structures to create a hostile environment for migrants so that they are not encouraged to set up camp in these jungle areas and to make it as difficult as possible for them.
“A court order now means that the French authorities have to provide for these migrants, which they will see as going against everything they have been trying to achieve.
“I’m sure the British Government will also be frustrated that we are now in a position where these migrants are being catered for on the other side of the Channel for as long as they need to be there before making their attempt to cross.
“As we know, the biggest December day on record happened just this past Saturday, with 803 migrants crossing in 13 boats.”
More than 800 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Saturday, a record for a day in December, according to the Home Office.
December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, as a combination of low temperatures and stormy weather makes the journey particularly difficult.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better.”
The Government statement added: “This Government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.”