The number of clandestines detected by Border Force almost doubled last year, according to the Home Office, although it refused to confirm how many were discovered at individual ports.
The government said that in 2014 there were 1,463 stowaways found at UK ports and on board ferries.
There were 782 discovered in 2013 and 654 in 2012. The figures do not include the many thousands detected at the juxtaposed controls in northern France.
The Home Office has refused to detail how many clandestines were discovered at individual UK ports on the grounds of compromising security.
“Providing this information would allow potential offenders an insight into the security measures and capabilities used at the UK borders and ports,” said a Home Office spokesman.
“This will allow offenders, especially in organised crime, to utilise this information in circumventing border controls, or adapting their methods for evading capture or detection.”
Peter Cullum, manager of international affairs at the RHA, said it expected most stowaways would go through Calais and Dover and the Channel Tunnel, and that Border Force should focus its efforts there.
“Other ports don’t have so many ferries,” he said. “That’s not to say they [clandestines] wouldn’t use other ports. Our view is always look after Dover, Calais and the tunnel and you look after the bulk of the risk.”
