Multi-million-euro Calais security plan

Ordinary fences provide little deterrent

The French rail company SNCF has announced it will spend 7.3 million euros ($6.7m) on security measures at the rail freight depot in Calais to stop incursions by illegal immigrants.

The French authorites say closing the camp will not solve the problem

The company plans to erect a double layer of fencing and barbed wire around the freight yard's 4.5-kilometre (three-mile) perimeter fence.

It will also install infra-red cameras to monitor movements at the freight yard, which has become the focus of attempts by immigrants from the nearby Sangatte refugee centre to reach the UK.

SNCF security chief Bruno Chretien told the daily Le Parisien newspaper that those breaking into the yard were using increasingly violent techniques.

"Today we are facing new arrivals, mainly Iraqi Kurds, who are much more aggressive than two months ago," he said.

"They are organised like a mini-army with leaders and groups to cause diversions. They are ready to do anything to achieve their objective and have absolutely no fear of a uniform," he said.

Mounting pressure

The SNCF's announcement comes after strong British criticism of the security at the freight yard.

UK Home Secretary David Blunkett has also sought urgent talks with the French Government over the future of the Sangatte camp, which Britain holds responsible for the number of immigrants penetrating the tunnel.

Scores of immigrants escaped through the tunnel to the UK after specialist police officers - guarding a freight yard near Calais - were assigned to other duties last weekend.

Downing Street said earlier this week it had received assurances from the French authorities that the number of police patrolling the entrance to the tunnel had been restored to normal.

But Mr Blunkett continued to insist that the real issue was the closure of Sangatte.

French observers, however, point out that the camp was set up in the first place to get immigrants off the streets of Calais, and that closing the camp would not stop them trying to get to Britain.