RHA airs concerns over stowaway fines
The government’s crackdown on illegal migration via HGVs is proving costly for hauliers, according to the Road Haulage Association (RHA) – with innocent lorry drivers re-entering the UK from France being landed with substantial fines for the carriage of stowaways who have broken into their vehicles without their knowledge.
While the RHA says it supports efforts by the authorities to crack down on those colluding with people smugglers, it says fines levied against drivers who have taken every precaution to protect their vehicles are “unfair and unjust”.
Rhys Williams, regional operations manager, told BBC Radio Northampton that some criminals were cutting holes into lorry trailer roofs while the vehicles were stationary so migrants could lower themselves in – while others would secure stowaways via the back doors, resealing them in a manner which makes tampering difficult to detect.
His comments came after Northampton-based RHA member EM Rogers and one of its drivers were hit with a total of £24,000 in fines after three migrants were found on board a vehicle, despite the driver having completed all required checks and there having been no obvious sign of entry.
The firm is also part of the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme, which recognises operators which run effective systems to prevent stowaways from gaining access. The company’s director, Ed Rogers, expressed concern that such fines would “drive people away from the industry”, adding: “I think it’s really unfair to target an ordinary driver when Border Force can’t [stop illegal entrants] themselves.”
The maximum fines faced by hauliers found carrying stowaways increased steeply under changes to the law earlier this year (Transport Operator 113).
