Robert Jenrick MP, (member of Jenricks team), Cllr Oliver Richardson and Natalie Elphicke MP
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick MP has visited Dover to hear residents’ experiences.
The Minister heard from Aycliffe residents about how the boats had been landing on their local beach, with some migrants entering gardens and a home.
Sledgehammer
Aycliffe residents told the Minister about the concerns they had for their safety and that of their families, including one resident who says she has a sledgehammer to hand when she sleeps, after a migrant came over the garden fence into her garden over the summer.
Mr Jenrick also heard from County Councillor Sue Chandler, KCC Cabinet Member for children services, which includes responsibility for unaccompanied child asylum seekers about the strain on local Kent services.
Breaking point
Dover Councillor Nigel Collor explained to the Minister how public services in Kent are at “breaking point” with the massive number of small boat arrivals putting pressure on school places, housing and other services. He too said that there was widespread concern in the town about the scale of the boats crossings.
Natalie Elphicke MP said: “The small boats crisis is a deep concern for our community – and is causing real strain on schools, housing and the other public services on which we all rely.
“It was important that the Immigration Minister was able to hear first hand from Dover residents and councillors about the local impact of this issue – which is now so bad that Kent leaders have described as at ‘breaking point’.
“Robert Jenrick took time to listen and understand the issues and concerns facing local residents on the frontline. I felt the meeting was a useful opportunity for him to hear of the impact of illegal migration on the Dover community.”