Yes very good point on the hassle and worry effect. Can't be nice to have that lot around you, however desperate their mission is.

Is that just the ferries ...........or the tunnel as well?

We were held up coming back the other week as they were running a major security exercise at Dover & Calais, which also caused delays at Dunkirk. Because of the delay, I put the bed down in the back of the T5 and lay down for an hour. Security had probably 50% of drivers open up the boot to look inside - even a tiny vauxhall corsa in front of us with 2 adults plus 2 children in the back. Despite the fact you could easily fit 3 people under the folded down bed in our T5 they never asked to look inside it, or the caravan. Unless they introduce physical checking for every single vehicle, this problem isn't going away any time soon.

Our general rule is to always come back via dunkirk, as the majority of the migrants are at calais. Aside from the worry of them sneaking on your vehicle, it's a very depressing sight, these people living are living rough in appalling conditions. I can't do anything about it so I'd rather not see it. We always double check door and window locks before leaving campsite anyway but particularly on ferry days. We never stop anywhere near the ports before the crossing and leave the vehicle... if we have to stop anywhere closeby to for e.g. use the toilet, we go one at a time. It's the same if stopping in supermarkets/service stations anywhere nearby, as it's obvious where you are going. If you get stuck in traffic anywhere near just watch for people around. They usually go for the lorries but individuals may try door handles and get lucky with a caravan, and our doors are on the pavement side over there.

Never used the tunnel. It's very expensive but many apparently use Tesco vouchers. We dont use Tesco, is there another way/voucher scheme to make it cheaper?

Good points. Dunkirk has been good for us regardless of the immigrant problem. The tunnel is still a target I think but maybe greater security, I don't know. I would use it every time if I could afford it.

This is all a bit worrying as we are off for our winter sun break very soon. We are crossing Dover/Calais both ways. Must remember to make a long run in on ferry day and check everything is locked beforehand. Sort of takes the shine off the holiday.

Driving back towards Calais Eurotunnel from Dunkirk in late July we went to stop at an Aire to dig out our passports. Pulling into the air we saw dozens of young men running towards the lorries trying to jump on them as they drove off. Needless to say we did not park but drove straight back out. We have used both Dunkirk and Calais Eurotunnel this summer and the actual terminals seem safe and hassle free. Just don't stop in any aires within easy reach of Calais.

WE came back on the Tunnel mid September no problems at all, we always camp the last night close to Calais usually Escalles, and run straight into the Tunnel terminus with no stops necessary. There was no sign of the numbers of immigrants that we saw at the Ferry port on the news when we got back, however leave yourself extra time. Security was very tight every vehicle pulled over by the French Police with sniffer dogs and some kind of swab equipment used on the steering wheel and dashboard is the for explosives or drugs/