Dover MP Charlie Elphicke has warned lorry drivers could be killed as they pass through Calais because of the continuing efforts of migrants to cross the channel.

The MP said: “The whole situation is becoming increasingly dangerous for millions of lorry drivers and tourists passing through Calais. It has now reached the stage where it is threatening to damage our economy – and is putting lives at risk.”

He added:“Sooner or later somebody is going to be killed or seriously injured. We must act now before it is too late.”

The MP’s stark warning came as he sent the Home Secretary Amber Rudd a blueprint for dealing with the crisis and renewed his call for the French authorities to take down the migrant camps at Calais.

“Sooner or later somebody is going to be killed or seriously injured. We must act now before it is too late" - Dover MP Charlie Elphicke

He urged the government to help hauliers to pay for tracking devices to be installed on their vehicles.

“The technology now exists for anti people-trafficking devices to be fitted to lorries. We need to see greater incentives for these devices to be fitted so we can do more to stop people being trafficked to Britain,” he said.

Mr Elphicke also highlighted his concern that the crisis was damaging the economy as hauliers have to dump their load if their trailer is breached by gangs.

“Migrants are running amok on French roads and people traffickers now stop at nothing to storm aboard wagons. The problem is that once they are caught by our border guards they are handed over to the French police who release them again a few miles down the road."

“It means they simply make their way back to Calais and have another go. This has to stop. They must be deported or put in jail. It’s the only way to stop their criminal activities.”

He has also proposed a new agreement between the French and UK authorities which gave a strong message to traffickers that “there can be no hope of success.”

The immigration minister Robert Goodwill, Minister said the government was tackling trafficking gangs operating in northern France.

“We know that gangs involved in people smuggling are at the root of much of the disorder being seen in Northern France. That is why we created the Organised Immigration Crime Taskforce, who work closely and tirelessly with international partners to dismantle their operations.”

He added: “We have also invested tens of millions of pounds to bolster security and opened a new secure waiting area for HGV trucks.The public should rest assured that we will not hesitate to take all action necessary to protect drivers and ensure their vehicles have the highest standards of safety possible.”