Simon Alford
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Two photo e-fits of a man suspected of raping a UK journalism student at a camp for illegal immigrants in Calais have been distributed across France, to Interpol and the British authorities.
French police have launched an international manhunt for the attacker amid fears he has already fled the country.
They compiled the images from descriptions given by the victim, who is being comforted by the Pas-de-Calais Victim Support Association, and a witness.
The 31-year-old Canadian-born student based in London was attacked on Tuesday night as she worked on a report on the make-shift camps outside the French port, where immigrants attempting to cross the Channel gather.
The area she was in, surrounded by trees, is known as "The Jungle".
Investigators have traces of the attacker's DNA and his fingerprints, but they believe he may have already slipped through border controls and may even be in England.
Philippe Muller, Boulogne-sur-Mer's vice-prosecutor, said police suspected the wanted man was a people smuggler or migrant.
He said: “We fear he may well have already gone, possibly to England or to another French port. It’s also possible he’s gone to Belgium or the Netherlands.”
The camps hold a mix of immigrants, mainly men, from African countries including Sudan, Mali and Eritrea, as well as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Officers have already questioned dozens of men at the camp following the attack.
A police spokesman said: “Conditions in the camp are very hard. The occupants’ sole aim is to secure their passage to Britain. You have to be very careful when entering these camps.
“The people there, mostly men, have an illegal status, they have no job and no home. The Jungle is a dangerous place and it’s not safe to go there.”
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Jon K - For asylum seekers, be they bogus or real, the UK's welfare state is obviously better than most other countries in Europe, that is why they try to come here. Clearly it is better here than in France as the Calais authorities do not even have a duty to house them. Check your facts.
David Armitage, Chertsey, UK
1. Why have the photofits not been printed in this article?
The alleged rapist may be in England so why not distribute his pictures here in England?
2. The French police will probably have helped him escape as they do not like having to do any work if it involves anyone from another country.
Andrew MacArthur, Bridlington, England
When will the French discourage illegal immigrants instead of helping them come to England?
Andrew MacArthur, Bridlington, England
100% of those in the camp are bogus asylum seekers.
In fact, most "asylum seekers" in Britain are bogus. It is physically impossible to enter the UK, except by plane, without passing through several safe countries where asylum could have been sought, as the law states they must do.
MUST DO.
James, London, UK
The way this country is deliberately being turned into an over-crowded, violent, illiterate cess-pit, it won't be long before a camp is set up at Dover for British people to ESCAPE.
I'll be first in the queue.
Theresa, London, Britain
Er...Marie. How are we supposed to discourage them before they get here? For once in 1,000 years, let the French take responsibility for what happens in their country.
Maurice, Cheltenham, UK
So we can't see the photo fits of the suspect anyone guess the guys ethnicity then?
Dave, Chorley,
Frances, the camp does not attract people, it is there because of the thousands of migrants that have congregated there over the years, looking for a way into Britain. If this camp did not exist, sanitary and security conditions would be far worse than they are now.
Leunamme, Le Mans, France
EU law states that anybody seeking asylum, must do so in the first EU country they arrive at, why are the French authourities not processing their claims for asylum. Seems to me that we are paying the price for having the universal language, Nobody is taught french in school,everybody speaks English
Richard Van-de-Velde, Essex, UK
The French shoul round the lot up & deport them back to their home countries.
Robin, Alicante, Spain
Well - what do they look like then?
VJB, London,
Jon K - what you say is accurate depending on your criterion for constitutes 'the best' welfare system. Tulio does have a point regarding the fact that many migrants travel across 'safe' countries leading to logical discounting of any impression that such migrants are only seeking genuine 'asylum'
Aaron, London,
Hey! Good job David Blunkett did the deal getting Sangatte closed down and recieving thousands of illegals into Britain as part of the deal. Really cured the problem! They just camped in the woods.
Richard, UK,
Andy: she was working.
Your response typifies a common attitude (she shouldn't have gone out alone, he shouldn't have left his car stereo in clear view). But these are entirely innocent acts rendered dangerous by the actions of other people. It is those other people's actions that are wrong.
Juno, Loughborough,
Tulio - The UK's welfare system is the worst in Europe (FACT), the quality of life on the Continent is better....what is your point??
Jon K, Southampton, UK
The 'camp' exists because, since the closure of Sangatte, there are no provisions at all for thes people, who arrive at the rate of 100 or so per day, and who are not discouraged by the British authorities until they turn up on their side of the channel.
Marie, Calais,
There is only one reason those people cross many safe countries but only want to claim asylum in the UK, it is the UK Welfare system. Cut it from people claiming asylum until it is proven they are genuine, and they wont bother coming anymore.
Tulio, London, UK
why was this "camp" allowed to exist in the first place? Allow dangerous conditions to exist, and this is what happens. Lesson learned? Much like our lack of boarder security.
M.J., Iowa, U.S.A.
This is a horrible thing to happen, but if the police are saying how dangerous the place is, why was she there alone?!
Also, if these people are so dangerous, let them stay there. There is a reason they want to get to the UK. Again it comes down to our government's stupidity.
Andy, Alton, UK
Cant print a photo. Human rights etc, probably.
ronnie, Bucks, UK
Why is this camp still open? It can only encourage illegal immigrants to try to make it to Britain.
Frances Bulwer, Brussels, Belgium
Absolutely,i hate when they do that.
It`s almost smarmy.
We have the photo but you can only view if you work for the authorities.
And they rely on public witnesses to get convictions.
Tracey, Derby, U.K.
Well? where is the photo?
Print it and let the British folks see what he looks like, so he could be avoided/captured, before he attacks someone in UK.
jayil, london, uk