On Sunday night, police in Koksijde (West Flanders) arrested two human traffickers and seven migrants. All in all, it was a fairly quiet weekend, mainly because there was a lot of fog on the coast. West Flanders governor Carl Decaluwé is calling for more investment in modern technological equipment to detect the boats.
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West Flanders governor Decaluwé seeks modern camera equipment to detect boats after fresh transmigrant arrests
Colin Clapson
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‘Heavy fog hampered the work of the human traffickers this weekend,’ says Nico Paelinck of the West Coast police zone. ‘In addition to the two human traffickers and seven transmigrants we arrested in Koksijde, we found boating equipment both in Koksijde and Middelkerke (West Flanders). We seized a German vehicle and also arrested a French woman, who had dropped off several transmigrants on the coastal road in Middelkerke.’
The figures are not as bad as last week's. ‘Last week, we arrested 67 transmigrants and 23 human traffickers or people transporting boating equipment,’ says Governor Decaluwé. ‘As predicted the situation is exploding.’
Order to leave the country
Last week, a decision was taken to reinforce local police by the federal police. ‘Around 25 police officers have been added. They can be deployed for two weeks for the time being. The port of Nieuwpoort in particular is now under extra surveillance. But what happens to the suspects who are arrested remains a problem.’
‘At present, it is mainly the local police who deal with the matter after someone has been arrested,’ says Decaluwé. ‘This usually means that the transmigrants are given a document ordering them to leave the country immediately, after which they are released. But the result is that the same people try to reach England again a few days later. This situation is unsustainable.’
Processing centres
Governor Decaluwé is an advocate of a ‘processing centre’ in West Flanders itself. ‘When you detain people, you currently have to take them to centres scattered throughout the country. In any case, there should be at least one liaison officer from the Immigration department based in our province to monitor the situation better. That way, people could be sent to one of several centres in the country more quickly.’
Modern cameras to detect boats
In addition, the police need more modern technological equipment. ‘To reach England from the West coast, transmigrants use boats that sometimes remain under the radar, which is why other techniques are needed,’ explains Decaluwé.
'I am looking into expensive cameras that can detect the boats, which radar cannot. We need to deploy innovative resources, and I want our police service to be supported in this. We will really have to step up our efforts'.