The highway through France’s Champagne region used by middle-class Brits to reach their holiday homes is now a people trafficker rat run bringing thousands of migrants to Britain. Welcome to ‘Autoroute vers l’Angleterre’, the motorway to England
The A26, once known mainly as a route for British holidaymakers travelling through France’s Champagne region, is increasingly being used by people-smuggling gangs moving migrants towards the Channel coast and the UK. Its motorway rest stops have become places where migrants and vehicles are exchanged, and a recent killing has drawn attention to growing competition between criminal groups.
A 47-year-old man was shot dead at Aire Champ l’Épée, near Troyes, last week; police found ten migrants in the van he had been driving, which was registered in Britain. French investigators have upgraded the case to an organised-crime inquiry, while a source cited in the article says the victim was probably foreign-born. Migrants are reportedly charged up to £2,000 for a crossing, and a single large dinghy could bring gangs almost £500,000.
- The A26 is being used by people-smuggling gangs heading towards the Channel.
- Ten migrants were found in a van after its driver was shot dead.
- Investigators are examining possible rival gang involvement.
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The A26 is a motorway in north-east France, running through the Champagne region towards the Channel coast. For years, British drivers have used it to travel to and from holiday homes in France, but its links to ports and other routes also make it relevant to journeys towards Britain.
People-smuggling gangs arrange transport for migrants hoping to cross the Channel, often using vans and stopping places along the way. The migrants may pay large sums for a crossing, while the gangs can make substantial profits; the routes and handovers can involve several people and vehicles.
The Channel crossings involve both French and British authorities, who deal with migration, border checks and criminal investigations. Violence linked to competing smuggling groups can put migrants and others at risk, and has prompted police to examine whether individual incidents are part of wider organised crime.