Eurotunnel, the Anglo-French operator of the Channel Tunnel, today called for the British government to tackle the growing problem of hundreds of illegal immigrants disrupting its services on a daily basis.
In recent months Eurotunnel has seen an increase in the number of incidents caused by illegal immigrants trying to use the Tunnel to reach Britain.
Eurotunnel has responded by stepping up security on the French side of the Tunnel.
Higher fences with razor wire, widespread CCTV and more security staff have all been introduced. However the flow of illegal immigrants has not been stemmed.
"We just have a grave difficulty keeping them off the site," a Eurotunnel spokeswoman told reporters.
Earlier this month British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and Mr Jacques Chirac, the French President, agreed to place British immigration officials in French railway stations from the summer to try to prevent illegal immigrants arriving in Britain by Eurostar.
Britain estimates 400 illegal immigrants arrive at London's Waterloo station each month claiming political asylum. AFP