CHILD refugees have been detained by police after authorities failed to move them out of the Jungle camp, it is claimed.
All young people living in the makeshift camp were supposed to have been processed and relocated in a temporary site created from shipping containers.
But yesterday, one day after French officials declared “mission accomplished” in efforts to move the Jungle’s 7,000-strong population on, charities said some had not been helped.
Help Refugees said at least 100 turned up at the registration centre yesterday morning, but found it closed with no official in sight.
The organisation said the unaccompanied minors were sent back to an area outside the container camp, but were not allowed to enter as they do not have wristbands.
In a statement, Help Refugees said: “Police have now been arresting and forcibly removing children with no explanation or translators. This has happened to children with and without wristbands.”
Members said they witnessed two police vans removing young people but the total number held is unclear. The group said the youngsters were then told they would not be registered yet and were sent back to outside the container camp. Help refugees say police have now been arresting and forcibly removing children with no explanation or translators.
Meanwhile, Save the Children hit out at a lack of organisation and help on the site, where some say up to 150 unregistered minors remain. A spokesperson for the charity said: “The situation for children in Calais after the demolition is the worst it has ever been.
“Vulnerable children slept under bridges, outside warehouses and in the Jungle camp itself, which has become an increasingly volatile environment.”
Caroline Gregory of Calais Action told the BBC around 100 unaccompanied children had been left in the camp on Wednesday night, after official Fabienne Buccio declared the operation was over.
Gregory told the BBC: “”We were begging the French authorities to actually do something about the refugee children and nothing was done.”
The children are said to have found shelter in a warehouse used for processing the residents and within the camp’s makeshift school.
However, some slept outside without shelter , with one young Afghan telling reporters: “I spent the entire night here. I am in the queue for minors to go to England. I have family there.”
It is understood that a coachload of young people eligible for transfer to the UK left Calais yesterday morning, but the numbers on board are unknown.
However, Safe Passage UK said around 300 have crossed the English Channel in the last ten days.
The Home Office said: “We are absolutely committed to safeguarding and protecting children in Calais and have already transferred a considerable number of unaccompanied minors to the UK so far this year.
“The French Interior Minister made a specific commitment to the Home Secretary that his government would continue to take responsibility for all children in Calais during the clearance operation, including those being assessed for possible transfer to the UK.
“We have no jurisdiction to operate on French territory, but we continue to work with our French partners and have offered assistance to ensure the safety of children during the clearance process.”
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