Brit kids on half-term trip to France have to abandon their coach after migrants stow away in luggage compartment
Police seized and searched the coach after drivers reported suspected stowaways
SCHOOLCHILDREN on a trip to France were forced to abandon their coach after police swooped to search for migrants stowed away in the luggage compartment.
Migrants were believed to have crept into the compartment close to Calais as students and staff returned from a half term trip to Paris.
The coach was seized and searched – with pupils’ belongings still on-board –after the drivers contacted French police.
The parent of a pupil from Highfields School, Matlock, Derbyshire, said: "It is concerning that no-one knew they were there and that our young people had to abandon some of their belongings while all of this was going on.
“Maybe schools need to think twice about going through Calais with youngsters, while the current problems associated with the camp there is sorted out."
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Another parent, who also preferred not to be named, added: "I am pleased that our children behaved well during this event, but feel it should not have happened in the first place."
A second coach was sent to return the stranded students on Tuesday night – following a five day stay in the French capital.
Co-head teacher Peter Cole said: "As part of the investigation by the French authorities, the coach the party was travelling on was taken for examination. Some students had left belongings on the coach, which have now been returned.
"A substitute coach was provided, ensuring that there was no disruption to the itinerary and the party arrived home safely on Tuesday night as planned."
Mr Cole said that the students and staff were not in any danger.
He added: "Our students behaved in an exemplary fashion throughout. They were superbly supported by an experienced group of staff, who ensured that they had a very productive and enjoyable visit.
"We remain committed to providing students with the excellent opportunities that foreign trips provide and will take into account all relevant factors in future planning."
A number of similar incidents have taken place over the last couple of years.
In at least a couple of incidents, the stowaways made it into the UK and surprised everyone when they climbed out of luggage compartments in London and Birmingham.
Earlier this year, a school coach, returning to the Isle of Skye, was attacked by what was said at the time to be "stone-throwing Calais migrants".
Demolition workers supported by riot police yesterday began smashing up an illegal camp full of UK-bound migrants in Paris.
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