Nana Akua: Immigration is a good thing, but it must not be confused with unvetted immigration

When I see that image of migrants running onto shore and disappearing down country lanes in broad daylight, my heart sinks.

Firstly for the people who live in that area must feel powerless when they see this, but also because of - in my view - the disrespect shown by the migrants who have decided not to wait to be processed into the UK system, and instead just flee once they hit UK soil.

This isn’t an anti-migrant rant because if they have truly come from persecution then they should be welcomed, even though I question why they are fleeing France. The question I am asking myself is what type of person would flee when arriving in the UK instead of being processed to access the help and benefits that are available.

The answer, potentially those who may well be considered as criminals from wherever they have come from. I am concerned that this level of lawlessness will feed into criminal gangs. How long will it take those deciding to completely go under the radar to turn to crime as they have failed to access the support that is there specifically for them and paid for by the British taxpayer.

For the families living in this area and seeing this on a daily basis, it must actually be quite intimidating. They probably can’t open windows and doors overnight just incase.

Yesterday almost one thousand people came across. This is totally unsustainable and I don’t feel the government is taking this seriously enough. Some of the suggestions have included patrols on jet ski’s. Surely that was a bad joke. And when I read headlines like “£6000 pizza bill for migrants arriving in Dover” which relates to the amount the Home Office spent at Dominos and almost £4000 buying sunhats for those who had crossed the channel, I ask why would the migrants take this country seriously. Immigration is a good thing, but it must not be confused with unvetted immigration.

My parents came here from Ghana in the 60’s and had to jump through hoops to A/ to make sure they were genuine and B/ to ensure they would add value. I am sick and tired of people who speak out about this being called racist.

Trust me, I know a thing or two about that and I would call it out if I saw it. But we need politicians to earn their eighty or so grand. We need them to work together with the French and countries around the world to find a solution.