£4 million in migrant fines issued to lorry drivers and firms
The number of fines levied at lorry drivers and haulage firms for migrants found on their vehicles has seen a 50 per cent increase since last year, totalling over £4 million.
Both haulage firms and drivers can be fined up to £2,000 for each migrant found and so far more than 3,300 fines have been issued by UK Border Force staff in 2014-15.
The figures come amidst the increasing trouble in Calais, that has seen thousands of migrants attempt to enter the UK through the channel tunnel.
Many firms have come forward saying the current fines system is unfair given the dangers that drivers face.
Joanne Witheford, a specialist road transport lawyer, said: "We asked UK Border Force if there was going to be any leniency shown to drivers in the present situation.
"They have told us it is 'business as usual', but the situation is anything but usual.
"There are desperate people willing to do anything to get into the UK."
Witheford also suggested that the fines were counter productive and called for amnesty for drivers who alert UK border force, as the current system does not encourage drivers to report migrants that may have boarded their vehicles
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