Welcome BACK to the Jungle: Population of 'demolished' Calais camp swells to record 7,300 as number of migrants smuggled into UK on lorries TRIPLES (so what are you going to do about it, Francois?)

Nearly 50 people per day are arriving at the tent community in Calais and there are now 7,307 migrants living there

Majority fled to Europe from Afghanistan and Sudan. 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

By SARAH DEAN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:27 GMT, 21 July 2016 | UPDATED: 23:40 GMT, 21 July 2016


Just five months ago French authorities began demolishing the Calais refugee camp nicknamed the 'Jungle' after a judge upheld a decision to evict hundreds from the sprawling centre.

But despite talk of dismantling it these new aerial photographs appear to show it 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.

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.

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.

The new pictures emerged as Theresa May arrived in Paris tonight for what could be stormy talks with Francois Hollande over Brexit. Discussions on the migrant crisis are likely to form part of the topics covered.

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.


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


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

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Pictured left is how the 'Jungle' looked in December and right how it looks today 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



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


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


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

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.

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


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

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.




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


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


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

Migrants at 'Jungle' camp in Calais swell to record 7,000 | Daily Mail Online