to think that the Calais migrants are economic migrants and should not be given asylum?

[cabbagesouppirate]

All of the Calais migrants are young men. If they were true asylum seekers seeking safety from persecution they could have claimed asylum in a number of safe countries Western countries already, including France which is hardly a dangerous place. Instead they camp out in Calais, causing a nuisance, a mess, costing the UK and France a lot of money, making the lives of lorry drivers and tourists hell and the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. I sincerely hope these people are not given asylum in the UK and any that have managed to reach the UK should be fast tracked out of the country and given economic assistance whilst they are here.

Does the UK really want people such as the migrant who gagged and raped a 7 year old girl in a German park last week?

No.

She was riding her bike near her Mum when he dragged her into the hedge and gagged her. Sickeningly none of the major news channels would report on it, horrifying. It's all just covered up.
Disgusting.

I can't sleep for thinking about the poor girl.

The UK govt is reaping what is sowed, isnt it? Stop plundering other people's lands starting oil wars then it might be different.

France is a "safe" country maybe but people are either blindfolded here or ignore the truth...there are refugees literally starving in Paris. Go to a cafe near Gare du Nord..if youve left a little food on your plate they swoop on it like scavengers...staff shoo them away yes they feel sorry for them but its "bad for business".

Its sickening how some can simply ignore the problems created by their own country's policies and throw blame on people aiming for a better life. Google some images of the state of Syria now - how do you think it happened?

As for "refugee criminals" - oh please. If a person is bad then they're bad, why should their nationality be brought into it? Im not a Brit - & where Im from Brits are caught for horrid crimes too but because we aren't ignorant we don't tar all with the same brush.

I saw the young children of refugees being tear gassed on Channel 4 news. Extremely upsetting footage.

I don't disagree with you mistress, I'm not ignorant and I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush. The UK are by no means innocent but actually this is an effect of global plundering not just the UK.

I do think that it's sad that this person is unlikely to be caught because of the way this situation is being handled. The police have admitted he is going to be hard to trace due to the amount of forged paperwork and the actual number of people who aren't telling the truth about where they are from or who they are. They should be accountable for their actions no matter where they are from and regardless of if they are seeking a better life or not.

Cultural clashes are going to be a huge issue in this. Sweden has now become the rape capital of Europe since opening its doors to the recent migration. Women are being told to cover up so as not to encourage attack or molestation. I don't find this acceptable behaviour from anyone sorry.

Helena yes I saw this too and it was horrific, I also saw the men pushing the women and children to the front and hiding behind them which I am equally horrified by.

Awful times.

Unfortunately amongst the genuine cases there are always going to be those who are bad.

I wonder if this situation will prompt any reconsideration of creating national identity cards again in the UK? I know it was previously scrapped due to costs and I'm still not sure if the public was in favour of them, I know people resisted the idea for decades. The thing is, the UK is attractive to economic migrants (I'm not talking about refugees here) precisely because unlike other EU countries we don't have ID cards and so there is a flourishing "unofficial" economy. It's far easier to disappear and find work off the books in the UK and even access healthcare as many hospitals do not check the residency status of patients. It's very difficult to do this in EU countries with ID cards that are linked to benefits, healthcare services etc... I think many of the men at Calais are hoping to get here, disappear and at some point when they're established, try to legitimise their status, after all it probably looks easier to become a resident if they are already here as opposed to trying to apply from Calais.

I do have sympathy for anyone who is born into unfortunate and dangerous circumstances, the accident of birthplace is such an unfair reality of our world but unlimited immigration to the UK is only ever going to be a band aid fix and ultimately perpetuates the problem whilst doing nothing to improve the lives of those who aren't able to escape their home countries. Any solution needs to focus on the countries of origin.

You make a really good point Rainbunny. I hadn't thought about identity cards but logically it would be helpful in this situation.
I'm also in agreement that a lot (not all) of the men in Calais are trying to get here to then disappear and then legitimise everything afterwards.

coco76 that story about a 7 year old being raped by a migrant in a German park has only been reported by known far right sites linked with groups like Pegida (ie self-confessed fascists).

If it had happened, don't you think the Daily Mail would have been all over it?

I find it concerning that people are using mumsnet to spread this kind of garbage :-/

Where is your proof that it is 'garbage' ?
The Daily Mail has also freely reported on the amount of rape and child rape that is happening in the refugee camps.
The German police have admitted that it happened and is continuing to happen and they are powerless to stop it or help.