3:20pm Wednesday 21st March 2007
PEMBROKESHIRE is in real danger of becoming a back door to the UK, it's being warned.
MP Stephen Crabb says border security needs to be tightened to stop the county being seen as a soft option for illegal immigrants and potential terrorists.
From questions tabled to the Home Office, Mr Crabb learned 143 suspected illegal immigrants have been detained at our ports in the past two years - 98 at Fishguard and 45 at Pembroke Dock.
But Mr Crabb suspects hundreds more have got through undetected.
He said: "Given that the Home Office has admitted it actually has no clear idea how many illegal immigrants are entering the United Kingdom, we need to treat their figures with some caution."
He believes the Home Office figures received for Pembroke and Fishguard understate the problem emerging in the county.
He added: "With two ferry routes to Ireland and a booming port at Milford Haven, there is a real danger of Pembrokeshire becoming a back door to the UK.
"It is important we do not create an unwelcome climate for foreign workers who are a valued part of the economy, but the Government needs to get serious about border security at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock so it is not seen as a soft option for people wanting to enter the country illegally."
Do you agree with Mr Crabbs opinions? Add your comments below.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk