Dutch authorities stopping migrants headed to the UK

The Dutch government has reported that its intensified border security is succeeding in stopping more irregular migrants trying to get into the UK via their ports.

The latest figures show that in the last three months, Dutch and British border authorities have caught 430 migrants hiding in trucks and boats.

Last year 1,280 illegal migrants, more than double the 500 migrants caught in 2015, were stopped crossing from the Hook of Holland.

In late 2015, the UK signed an agreement with Belgium and the Netherlands to control illegal migration through both countries. This agreement focused on strengthening port security through greater intelligence sharing with UK authorities to detect new routes and combat organized crime groups involved in migrant smuggling.  

As a result, the UK and Dutch border forces have stepped up operations, thereby making illegal journeys through these ports much tougher.

In June 2016, the Dutch deployed armed soldiers to assist with border patrols at key ports including Europort near Rotterdam and Ijmuiden near Amsterdam, which have sailings to Harwich, Hull and Newcastle. Sniffer dogs are also in use to detect people hiding in and on trucks. At the same time, the UK doubled the number of border force boats patrolling its east and south coasts.

Truck drivers now face fines of up to €2,500 if illegal migrants are hiding in their vehicles, even if drivers say they were not aware of their presence. As a result, truck drivers are avoiding roads where migrants are found in big numbers to reduce the risk of receiving costly fines.

In 2015, the Dutch authorities seized 55% of illegal migrants attempting to cross to UK ports, increasing to 83% last year. Arrests of people smugglers also rose in 2016.