Photo: EDDIE / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

EM Rodgers calls out Border Force shortcomings after receiving clandestine migrant fine

The director of well-known European haulage firm EM Rodgers has said it is the job of the Home Office and Border Force to stop migrants entering the UK, not hauliers and drivers. Speaking to BBC News, director Sarah Boyson made the comments after EM Rodgers was fined over £3,000 for unknowingly transporting 3 migrants to the Port of Calais.

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Regular readers will be aware that recently introduced legislation means that hauliers and drivers can be fined several thousand pounds for transporting clandestine migrants to the UK.

In a February press release regarding the now-applicable legislation, the UK Government department accused drivers of “not taking the steps required to secure vehicles”.

The maximum penalty payable by a responsible person in respect of a clandestine entrant or concealed person has risen from £2,000 to £10,000. In addition to this, the maximum aggregate penalty has shot up from £4,000 to £20,000.

The exact amount of each fine is means tested and is calculated according to numerous factors.

Moreover, as opposed to the situation previously, whereby proving a lorry had been secured could see a haulier’s fine waived, there is no longer such a possibility. The only exception is when someone has been under duress. Proof that the lengthy list of actions and checks have been undertaken will only see an unspecified “reduction” to the standard fine.

In the case of EM Rodgers, the company managed to get its fine reduced to £2,400. The £1,200 fine for the driver was also waived.

Speaking to BBC News about the situation, Boyson said:

“Border Force, the Home Office – it’s their full time job to stop migrants coming in yet us, as a transport company and individual drivers, are expected to stop the migrants when all these major authorities and government departments can’t stop them – that’s crazy.”

Boyson added that EM Rodgers and its staff had been doing everything possible to prevent migrants sneaking into their vehicles.

One of the company’s drivers also told BBC News that he avoids taking breaks anywhere near to Calais and has effectively become a “part-time security guard” due to the situation with migrants and fines.

News of the fine comes almost two years after EM Rogers revealed one of its trucks had been attacked by migrants using iron bars and breeze blocks in Calais.

Posting on Facebook after the attack, EM Rodgers described the incident as “disgraceful” and said the driver “was totally shaken up” as a result of the ordeal. The company added that the driver could even have been killed had he not stopped.


Photo: EDDIE / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0