Police clear thousands of migrants from makeshift camp in Paris (so how long until they make it to Calais?)

  • Between 1,200 and 1,400 people, mostly men, from Eritrea, Somalia and Afghanistan were evicted from the camp
  • They were loaded on to buses and taken outside of the city to Ile-de-France and the provinces
  • Head of French Immigration and Integration Office said some asylum seekers were just passing through France
  • Authorities are trying to stop migrants from congregating in Paris and Calais and are regularly removing camps  
  • But nearly 50 people per day are arriving at the jungle camp in Calais and there are now 7,307 migrants living there
  • This comes despite part of camp being demolished in February
  • Currently border checks on French side of Channel but Calais mayor wants Britain to deal with refugees after Brexit

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More than 1000 migrants from Eritrea, Somalia and Afghanistan have been evicted from a makeshift camp in Paris, a day after it emerged the sprawling jungle camp in Calais is now home to more people than ever.

Between 1,200 and 1,400 people, mostly men, were removed from their tents near the metro stations Jaurès and Colonel Fabien in the French capital early on Friday morning.

Some men were pictured covering their noses as they were lined-up alongside the unsanitary camp where people had been living without toilets underneath an elevated railway.

Among the large group of men were one hundred single women, children and families who were given priority to board buses to take the migrants outside of the city to reception centres in Ile-de-France and the provinces, Le Monde reports. 

Security forces were forced to use tear gas to push back the baying crowds as they waited to be moved on from the area which featured hundreds of tents, mattresses and makeshift cardboard beds.

The head of the French Immigration and Integration Office, Didier Leschi, said some were passing through France and were planning to seek asylum in other European countries. 

Migrants sat on the floor as they were evicted from a makeshift camp by French gendarmes, on July 22,  in the French capital 

Migrants sat on the floor as they were evicted from a makeshift camp by French gendarmes, on July 22, in the French capital 

Struggles broke out between men and the security forces as they rushed to board buses to take them outside of the capital 

Others, however, had already been granted asylum in France 'but cannot find work and don't know where to live.' 

Last weekend, riot police intervened at the site to break up a fight between some of the camp's occupants. 

Migrant support groups complain of a dire shortage of accommodation for asylum-seekers, saying the 20,000 spaces created in the past two years are insufficient in the face of a constant stream of new arrivals. 

Paris police have been battling the makeshift camps for months, with new illegal sites being built at the same rate they as existing ones are being evacuated and torn down.

The operation in northern Paris was the 26th of its kind over the past year in the city.  

In May, the city's mayor Anne Hidalgo announced plans to create a refugee camp with proper facilities, scheduled to be up and running in September.

The other main destination in France for refugees and migrants is the northern port of Calais, where thousands of people are camped out in the hope of stowing away in a truck bound for Britain.

Pierre Henry, head of France Terre d'Asile, a charity that helps refugees and asylum seekers, called for other French cities to step up to the plate.

'We need (accommodation) centres in all the regional capitals, to receive the refugees and help them get their bearings, so that people are not drawn just to Paris and Calais,' he said.  

In May, French police tore down and evicted 500 migrants from an illegal camp under the Stalingrad metro in east Paris for the third time in two months.

A picture shows the empty tents after the evacuations took place early on Friday morning. Litter and cardboard was left strewn across the floor as they men were told to leave their temporary homes

A picture shows the empty tents after the evacuations took place early on Friday morning. Litter and cardboard was left strewn across the floor as they men were told to leave their temporary homes

Between 1,200 and 1,400 people, mostly men, from Eritrea, Somalia and Afghanistan, were in this camp near the metro stations Jaures and Colonel Fabien

Between 1,200 and 1,400 people, mostly men, from Eritrea, Somalia and Afghanistan, were in this camp near the metro stations Jaures and Colonel Fabien

The gendarmes struggled to hold back the crowds as they made their way towards the waiting buses with their few belongings

The gendarmes struggled to hold back the crowds as they made their way towards the waiting buses with their few belongings

And in March, nearly a thousand people were removed from the camp, which had mushroomed in the wake of the destruction of part of the Jungle camp in Calais. 

The latest camp clearance comes as the Calais refugee camp nicknamed the 'Jungle' is revealed to be bigger then ever - despite hundreds being evicted just five months ago.

But despite talk of dismantling new aerial photographs appear to show it has grown, having moved to an adjacent field, as a new census claimed the population had swollen to above 7,000 for the first time.

There has been a 15 per cent rise month-on-month despite predictions that fewer people would travel during the holy month of Ramadan.

The increased border security between Turkey and the EU and continued attempts from both French and British authorities to discourage people from making the journey have also failed to stop more refugees arriving at the camp.

One group of men appeared to pose for a selfie (left) as they waited on the ground surrounded by gendarmes during the eviction 

A man appears to be crushed as he tries to break free from the barriers held in place by the gendarmes pushing bins against metal bars 

A man appears to be crushed as he tries to break free from the barriers held in place by the gendarmes pushing bins against metal bars 

Paris police have been battling the makeshift camps for months, with new illegal sites being built at the same rate they as existing ones are being evacuated and torn down

Paris police have been battling the makeshift camps for months, with new illegal sites being built at the same rate they as existing ones are being evacuated and torn down

On the Boulevard De La Villette migrants waited under the bridge during the eviction which began at around 6.30am 

On the Boulevard De La Villette migrants waited under the bridge during the eviction which began at around 6.30am 

Some men were pictured holding their noses as the smell of the unsanitary camp became too much 

The 100 single women, children and families among the crowd of migrants were given priority to board the buses

The 100 single women, children and families among the crowd of migrants were given priority to board the buses

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo was previously forced to admit defeat in the fight against the shanty towns, saying that the current situation is no longer 'tenable'

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo was previously forced to admit defeat in the fight against the shanty towns, saying that the current situation is no longer 'tenable'

Charities Help Refugees and L’Auberge des Migrants say the population now totals 7,307. Nearly 50 people per day are arriving at the tent community and the camp’s population is expected to exceed 10,000 before the end of September if this surprising rate continues.

Following the Brexit vote, the Mayor of Calais - who wants the controversial refugee camp to be removed - claimed the British government should deal with the refugee situation. 

And on Thursday French President Francois Hollande urged Prime Minister Theresa May to quickly come up with a negotiating stance for Britain's departure from the European Union but agreed she needed time to trigger the formal divorce.  

May, who struggled as interior minister to control migration into Britain, refused to give anything away on how she would balance voters' demands for a reduction in movement with demands from business to keep access to the EU's 500 million consumers. 

Sprawling: Despite talk of dismantling the Calais 'Jungle' these new aerial photographs appear to show it is now bigger than ever

Sprawling: Despite talk of dismantling the Calais 'Jungle' these new aerial photographs appear to show it is now bigger than ever

Sprawling: Despite talk of dismantling the Calais 'Jungle' these new aerial photographs appear to show it is now bigger than ever. The camp appears to have moved from the adjacent field to the left of the picture to the sprawling tents seen in the field on the right

The camp appears to have moved from the adjacent field to the left of the picture to the sprawling tents seen in the field on the right

This picture was taken in last December and shows how the Calais refugee camp  the 'Jungle' has moved from one field to the other

This picture was taken in last December and shows how the Calais refugee camp the 'Jungle' has moved from one field to the other

Pictured is how the 'Jungle' looked in December
How it looks today having been moved a short distance from its original spot

Pictured left is how the 'Jungle' looked in December and right how it looks now having been moved a short distance from its original spot

Despite talk of dismantling it these new aerial photographs appear to show the Calais camp is now bigger than ever, having moved to an adjacent field, as a new census claimed the population had swollen to above 7,000 for the first time

Despite talk of dismantling it these new aerial photographs appear to show the Calais camp is now bigger than ever, having moved to an adjacent field, as a new census claimed the population had swollen to above 7,000 for the first time

There has been a 15 per cent rise month-on-month despite predictions that fewer people would travel during the holy month of Ramadan

There has been a 15 per cent rise month-on-month despite predictions that fewer people would travel during the holy month of Ramadan

Currently border checks are conducted on the French side of the Channel.

But now the understanding, known as the Touquet agreement, between France and the UK has been called into question following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart says she will be pressing for the agreement to be suspended.

She told French broadcaster BFM TV: 'The British must take on the consequences of their choice.

'We are in a strong position to push, to press this request for a review and we are asking the President to bring his weight (to the issue).

'We must put everything on the table and there must be an element of division, of sharing.'

The refugee camp in Calais has seen a 15 per cent month-on-month rise of migrants arriving at its gates

The refugee camp in Calais has seen a 15 per cent month-on-month rise of migrants arriving at its gates

French politicians want to abandon an agreement where UK border checks are carried out in Calais

French politicians want to abandon an agreement where UK border checks are carried out in Calais

Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart, pictured, wants to shut down the camp and let Britain deal with the refugee crisis

Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart, pictured, wants to shut down the camp and let Britain deal with the refugee crisis

The majority of the 7,307 migrants living in the camp are from Afghanistan (36 per cent) and 32 per cent are from Sudan

The majority of the 7,307 migrants living in the camp are from Afghanistan (36 per cent) and 32 per cent are from Sudan

Charities Help Refugees and L’Auberge des Migrants say the population now totals 7,307

Charities Help Refugees and L’Auberge des Migrants say the population now totals 7,307

THERESA MAY ARRIVES IN FRANCE 

Theresa May arrived in Paris tonight for what could be stormy talks with Francois Hollande over Brexit

The French President has already said he will demand the Prime Minister 'justifies' delaying triggering the process of leaving the EU, and warned that single market access means accepting free movement rules.

Mrs May was welcomed to the Elysee Palace by Mr Hollande tonight, before they began their talks. After holding a press conference they are expected to have dinner.

She confirmed that the two-year Article 50 process of leaving the EU would not be triggered before the end of the year.

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There are now 761 minors living in the camp - 608 of them (80 per cent) are unaccompanied by an adult. The youngest child is just four months old, and the youngest unaccompanied child is eight years old.

According to Help Refugees and L’Auberge des Migrants, these unaccompanied children entered Europe on average seven months ago and have been living in the Calais jungle for an average of nearly five months.

In February, French authorities began dismantling part of the 'Jungle' after a judge upheld a decision to evict hundreds from the sprawling centre.

Demolition crews entered the encampment and started clearing its southern part as migrants were relocated to purpose-built accommodation.

Refugee organisations said thousands had their shelters displaced and others moved into shipping containers set in a nearby park after authorities said they would use force if necessary to move the camp's inhabitants.

The latest census has reportedly revealed just how few people are staying in secured government accommodation.

Only 25 per cent of the overall population and 30 per cent of minors are in the promised houses – with the remainder staying in tents and temporary accommodation. 

In February the southern part of the sprawling camp near the port of Calais was cleared, but migrants moved elsewhere

In February the southern part of the sprawling camp near the port of Calais was cleared 

In an image taken inside the Calais camp signs show where the refugees are from and where they hope to go 

In an image taken inside the Calais camp signs show where the refugees are from and where they hope to go 

There are now 761 minors living in the camp - 608 of them (80 per cent) are unaccompanied by an adult

There are now 761 minors living in the camp - 608 of them (80 per cent) are unaccompanied by an adult

THE BRITISH BORDER IN FRANCE: WHAT IS THE DEAL KEEPING THE JUNGLE IN CALAIS? 

Britain and France signed the Le Touquet treaty in 2003 amid tensions over the number of people in camps at Calais.

The deal was the latest in a series that allowed Britain to carry out border checks on the French side of the Channel - meaning papers were checked there and vehicles inspected.

British officials are based on the French side of the channel and cooperation around the eurotunnel terminal was stepped up last summer as the numbers trying to break into the tunnel grew.

Scrapping the deal could see British border checks brought back to the English side of the Channel - potentially allowing people to reach the Kent shore to set up camp while awaiting processing.

There are currently around 7,000 people at the camps with 'roads' handed British-styled names such as Queen Elizabeth II Street.

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The youngest child living inside the Calais camp is just four months old. A huge 78 per cent of minors are on their own

The youngest child living inside the Calais camp is just four months old. A huge 78 per cent of minors are on their own

Help Refugees co-founder Josie Naughton said: ‘If the camp is set to be destroyed without adequate alternatives being offered to all residents currently without secured accommodation (many of whom have already been displaced at least once) then this is truly terrible news.

‘Over a hundred children went unaccounted for the last time French police moved in to evict the camp. That is sure to happen again unless French and British officials work together to ensure that these children are protected, and that those who have the legal right to be reunited with immediate family in the UK have their cases expedited.

‘There are 10,000 children who have reportedly gone missing in Europe so far. Another eviction could add hundreds more to that devastating tally.’

Charities are calling for adequate alternative accommodation to be offered to the migrants before the camp is torn down 

Charities are calling for adequate alternative accommodation to be offered to the migrants before the camp is torn down 

In February, French authorities began dismantling part of the 'Jungle' after a judge upheld a decision to evict hundreds from the sprawling centre

In February, French authorities began dismantling part of the 'Jungle' after a judge upheld a decision to evict hundreds from the sprawling centre

In February demolition crews entered the jungle encampment and started clearing its southern part

In February demolition crews entered the jungle encampment and started clearing its southern part

Despite attempts to clear the camp, more people than ever are now living there

Despite attempts to clear the camp, more people than ever are now living there