by Simon Saunders

DOWNING STREET announced yesterday the rush-hiring of guards and dogs to deal with “unacceptable disruption” by migrants hopping lorries at Calais — as charities warned that brutal security tactics were causing a humanitarian crisis.

The immediate expansion of Britain’s Border Force and plans for a large-scale new fence-building project were confirmed following a top-level Cobra emergency committee meeting.

Medium-term measures will see diplomatic pressure put on France to “reduce the numbers of migrants in Calais” and a harsh Immigration Bill will be fast-tracked as soon as Parliament reconvenes on September 7.

But the hard-line tactics were quickly called into question by Doctors of the World (DotW), currently the only medical charity helping migrants stranded in Calais.

Amid rising violence, DotW took the unprecedented step on Thursday of calling for an emergency humanitarian response with partner charities in Calais, deploying mobile clinics to provide medical consultations and support services to migrants.

Talking to the Star yesterday, DotW communications manager Nick Harvey said that a lack of access to food and water alongside injuries, often inflicted by police and security forces, were leading to widespread health problems.

And he warned that more aggressive actions would simply mean more pain, a worsening health crisis caused in part by the already brutal tactics being employed by France and Britain.

Mr Harvey said: “We have testimonials of people who have been battered by police, pulled off trucks, left with broken bones and we’re having to patch them up after they’ve been attacked. The levels of brutality are increasing.

“Dogs won’t solve the problem in Calais — these people are desperate, they won’t be intimidated. The money would be better spent fixing the broken asylum system and dealing with this humanitarian crisis.”

The warning was echoed by campaign group Calais Migrant Solidarity, which is calling for donations to help migrants in desperate need.

The group, which has been active in the notorious Jungle camps providing food, shelter and basic medical aid for the last four years, is backing protests planned on the Folkestone side of the Channel tunnel today, calling for an end to deaths on the border.

The group said in a statement: “Recently a 13-year-old migrant boy was found dead on top of a Channel tunnel train.

People are risking their lives to get to a place of safety and some of them are dying. This is a demonstration for all those who want to show their support for their fellow human beings.”

Mr Cameron also faced parliamentary pressure to rethink his tactics yesterday from the Green Party.

Deputy leader Shahrar Ali said: “David Cameron clearly doesn’t have a handle on the situation. A new, expensive high fence isn’t the answer and an increasing number of dogs won’t help.

“Instead of continually dehumanising people who are looking for a better way of life, he should be working with the French authorities and humanitarian agencies to allow for these desperate people to be treated humanely.

“The challenge of Calais cannot be addressed in Calais alone. A range of wider action is needed, which recognise our contribution to historic and contemporary reasons for forced migration.”

• Donate: doctorsoftheworld.org.uk and calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com