A CALL for more investment and resources into Poole Port has been made by town’s MP after reports of growing illegal immigration incidents at the border.

Sir Robert Syms said there appeared to be recurring issues across the south coast but feared small ports were not getting the support they need to maintain security.

As previously reported, eight alleged illegal immigrants were detained at Poole Port in the build up to Christmas.

Eight men, who presented themselves as Iraqi and Iranian nationals, were arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally after police and Border Force officers attended a report of a concern for welfare.

Meanwhile, a source inside the port told the Daily Echo up to 30 immigrants had been caught travelling across from France in the past month.

Giving his view on security at points of entry into the United Kingdom, Sir Robert said: “I think we do need to invest more in our ports.

“Over the past decades the focus has been on the bigger ports with attention on trying to stop cigarettes, alcohol and people on boats rather than dealing with smaller ports where there is not enough man power.

“There needs to be more resources in ports like Poole to ensure our borders are safe. It appears the smaller ports are targeted by smugglers.”

Over the weekend, it was reported that more than 40 migrants, including a pregnant woman, were rescued in operations on both sides of the Channel off Kent, Dunkirk and Calais. Sir Robert added: “We have seen in recent days that small boats are trying to cross the channel but trying to do that to Poole would be too far to go.

“Clearly there is still pressure for migrants to get to Britain – it is still an attractive place to live with Brexit.”

Sir Robert, who was re-elected to represent Poole earlier this month with an increased majority, said he had spoken to ministers on several occasions about port security particularly in Poole. His views on more investment in smaller ports was echoed earlier this year by Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill.

“I will raise the issue again,” said Sir Robert. “There is a recurring problem – that is with small boats on the eastern coast and smuggling in vehicles to the west.”