BRITAIN'S MIGRANT SQUATTER SHAMBLES

UNEMPLOYED migrants refusing to return home have flooded a British city with more than 15 squatter camps – including a site in the middle of a busy roundabout.

The impact of uncontrolled immigration on the fabric of British life was graphically laid bare yesterday by the sight of the tented communities in Peterborough, Cambs.

Dozens of rough-sleeping Eastern European migrants have set up elaborate camps in nature reserves and parks around the city and some have even taken to squatting in homeowners’ garden sheds.

Tents, fires, shacks and shelters have been set up across the city with an immigrant community that now accounts for 64 per cent of local population growth – the fastest in Britain.

An investigation yesterday revealed one thriving settlement had even been established in the middle of Boongate roundabout on the busy A1139, a major route into the city.

Immigration Minister Damian Green last night said the situation was “shocking” and promised to try to tackle the problem.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of think-tank MigrationWatch UK, said: “It’s completely unacceptable to have unemployed foreign workers camping out in our cities, even on roundabouts.

“Free movement of people within the European Union does not mean this. Those concerned must find a job or go home, with Government help if necessary.”

The majority of the squatters in Peterborough came to the UK seeking factory work and seasonal farm work in the area.

Around 15 per cent of an estimated population of 163,000 are now migrants – mainly from former Communist countries in Eastern Europe which are now part of the EU.

Many lost their jobs following the economic downturn or at the end of farming contracts but decided to stay on in Britain to claim benefits and cash-in-hand work.

Locals say Peterborough has become a “migrant city” because of mass immigration spiralling out of control during 13 years of Labour government.

The influx has led to schooling, housing, healthcare and police protection being stretched to breaking point.

At the housing office, 95 per cent of people seen by officials do not speak English and interpreters are paid £30 an hour to be on hand to help.

Fulbridge Primary School in Peterborough has 675 pupils but 27 different languages are spoken with only 200 of the pupils having English as a first language.

Registration at a local doctors’ surgery has rocketed with more than 90 per cent of the new arrivals being from the EU.

Resident Ian Treasure – who had a Czech Republic immigrant squatting in his shed for six months – slammed the rising number of jobless migrants as “spongers”. IT worker Ian, 42, said: “We just don’t have the resources to deal with all of the immigrants.

“Many of them are alcoholics and we can’t carry the burden of Europe’s alcohol problems. We need a serious political solution.”

Peterborough’s Conservative MP Stewart Jackson said: “Which town or city wants this kind of reputation? It’s a disgraceful state of affairs.

“At least now, the new Government is working with the city council to send these people back to their home countries whose responsibility they are, in order to get the help they need.”

“These are problems for their own countries to tackle.”

Immigration Minister Mr Green said: “Local authorities, local volunteer groups, the UK Border Agency and central Government are doing our best to stop this happening again and deal with problems in Peterborough.

“It is uncomfortable to see this. The UK Border Agency is working with local councils and the police to tackle rough sleeping by EU nationals.

“Rough sleeping is often associated with problems of anti-social behaviour and is a health threat to rough sleepers themselves.”

The UK Border Agency insisted measures were being put in place to deal with the crisis.

A spokesman said around 21 known EU migrants were believed to be living rough in Peterborough compared with 63 in April. If officers visit a tent and it is empty they leave documents in a variety of languages stating the rough sleepers must report to a police station in the next 10 days.

They have to prove they are self-sufficient and not a burden on the country to avoid being told to leave.

The pilot scheme also provides rough sleepers with advice on how to find work and obtain privately rented accommodation and how to get home.

Peterborough City Council said 45 migrant workers returned home voluntarily through its intervention scheme.

A spokeswoman said: “We are pleased with the work done so far and will continue to work with those migrant rough sleepers who would like help to be repatriated.”

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