Fortress Britain

[RayS]

Both outbound and inbound (Portsmouth - Caen) on recent visit to Spain, van was checked by security. Neither officer looked under the fixed bed, although they opened all the other doors and lockers.

Passport checks on return took a full 30 minutes from leaving the boat, with some fairly irrelevant questions being asked.

No objection to increasing our security and controlling the borders, but this approach does seem to leave some fairly large loopholes.

 

[ValA.]

The last few times we've come back from Calais we've been searched, all the cupboards and lockers had to be opened, including under the fixed bed and the wardrobe - and inside the fridge. They also had long rods with mirrors on which were used to look under the van itself. They were searching each van.

It doesn't bother us at all - I'm glad someone's looking after our security.

 

[Clubman1]

I had a similar experience in Sept last year when leaving the UK via Poole ferry port and then in Feb this year when leaving UK via Portsmouth ferry port. I have no objection what so ever in undergoing a security check if "Jobsworth" knew what they were doing. The cursory examination of the caravan and car carried out on both occasions would have resulted in clocking any illegals reclining in compartive comfort in the van but would have discovered any drugs, contraband or anything more sinsiter secreted about the car or caravan! Another example of a knee jerk solution from a knee jerk government.

 

[Lutz]

Looks like the searches are carried out more or less at random. Last time I came through Dover I was towing a trailer, not a caravan. Although there was ample space inside to hide almost anything and a tarpaulin over the top, they waved me through without stopping.

 

[Alex_374373826]

The annoying thing about this is that if you are British you will get a hefty fine and lose your vehicle, if not you will get a slapped hand and told not to do it again.

The Fortress bit is to keep us in,not them out.

 

[Gafferbill]

I find it amusing when I am asked ...............

"Have you any knives Sir?" then they add "apart from your kitchen drawer of course!"

 

[Guest]

Or motorhome was searched each and every time on 6 crossings back to England in 2 years, we changed back to a caravan last year and on 2 crossings last year nothing ! In fact at Newhaven the customs shed was empty and it appeared no one on duty.

 

[Ben_374375354]

I find it amusing when I am asked ...............

"Have you any knives Sir?" then they add "apart from your kitchen drawer of course!"

I have been stopped on my way out of the country at Dover when they found the knive I used to cut meat and cheese etc I had to prove I had cheese in my fridge to cut.

also,

When asked by customs if "you have any drugs, alcohol,cigarettes or porn etc.etc." replying no but if you tell me what you want I will get it for you next time is NEVER a good idea.

 

[Guest]

I am always amused to get searched on the way out. I would have assumed that if I had illegals on board, that HMG would have been happy for me to continue the journey with them. I do agree that with many of our power mad jobsworthys, humour is a no no. On one trip at the Eurotunnel (UK end) I stopped the outfit as requested and went to get out to open the caravan up for inspection. I was shouted that in no instance was I to leave my vehicle until instructed. So I sat for 3 or so minutes and then was told 'leave your car and open the caravan'. One wonders if they deliberately hire the numptys or do they get special training in being abnoxious. The French of course smiled and waved us straight through. Possibly they knew what we had just received from the UK 'lot'.

I also remember one trip from Hull when I booked a single ticket, as the return date was not clear at that time. The questions I received regarding where I was going, what was I doing, and when was I coming back were endless. I nearly stated that I wasn't b....y well coming back to such a miserable country, but then again they would have taken my number and probably body searched me on return.

I don't think we would mind if it actually helped our security but when every terrorist, dog, cat and Uncle Tom Cobbly and all in the world is invited to come here, no questions asked, then you do wonder.

 

[EvansofSprot]

Its very disconcerting the first time it happens to you.

"Where did you buy your caravan sir."

"The UK" you reply - thinking don't these people get any training at all.

I wrote to my MEP about that - she seemed not to know!

 

[smiley]

We've been stopped before, when asked if we had any weapons, drugs etc. We were assked the purpose of our visit (hols of course) asked if we had bought things.

Ans. YES, absolutely.

Q What?

Ans Wine

Q How much?

Ans 97 bottles

They didn't bother after that, we were really down on suspension. If they wanted to count that would have been fine with us, but a lot of crawling would have been incolved. HeHeHe

All stored under deats and cupboards. I suppose its one way to have officials on their knees to you.....

 

[Jaydug]

A few weeks ago I returned from Spain travelling via Eurotunnel. My car and van weren't checked at all either in Calais or Folkestone however, shortly after I left the autoroute at Bordeaux and took the N10, I was followed by what I thought was a motor-cycle gendarme. After a few minutes he overtook me and beckoned me to follow him. He led me off the dual-carriageway and into a compound, where several HGV's and car/caravan outfits were parked. I saw the back of his jacket was labelled "Douanne". He indicated for me to park in one of several lanes where I was approached by a female officer. She spoke excellent English and questioned me on destination, starting point, what I was carrying and whether any persons or animals were travelling in the caravan. Next another officer approached and asked whether I had any alcohol or tobacco. I was then instructed to drive forward and park alongside a truck modified with a huge inverted U-shaped gantry. I was taken from my car and shown to a waiting area 100yards away. The gantry then began to move slowly down my car and caravan. It was obvious from all the radiation warning symbols displayed on the traffic cones that my outfit was being X-rayed. After a few minutes I was allowed back to the car, told to drive forward and then park. After waiting several more minutes, with a flick of a wrist, I was free to leave.

 

[lee2]

When you were first waved down how sure were you that it was a genuine gendarme?

 

[Jaydug]

Quote "How sure were you that it was a genuine gendarme?" Quote.

Five minutes earlier I saw him sitting at a slip road watching the traffic. He didn't actually stop me. He only beckoned me to follow.

 

[Chris_374413356]

If you get any aggrevation from thw numpties, I always pull the racist card... You stopped, is it 'cos I'm white.

 

[EvansofSprot]

We've been stopped before, when asked if we had any weapons, drugs etc. We were assked the purpose of our visit (hols of course) asked if we had bought things.

Ans. YES, absolutely.

Q What?

Ans Wine

Q How much?

Ans 97 bottles

They didn't bother after that, we were really down on suspension. If they wanted to count that would have been fine with us, but a lot of crawling would have been incolved. HeHeHe

All stored under deats and cupboards. I suppose its one way to have officials on their knees to you.....

Putting another 97 kilos of weight on your van's suspension doesn't sound to me to be a very good idea.

French wine by enlarge isn't as good anyway as the plonk in your local Tesco etc.