Port's ant-crime campaign

A NEW campaign to combat cross-Channel crime was launched in Newhaven on Monday.

Organised criminal gangs are behind much of the human trafficking, illegal immigration, drug smuggling and bootlegging in the UK.

And as East Sussex's gateway to Europe, Newhaven was chosen to start a joint campaign by Southern Crimestoppers, the Immigration Service and Customs and Excise to encourage people to call a 24-hour crime hotline with their tip offs.

Dave Simmons, community safety co-ordinator for Sussex Police Authority, said Crimestoppers posters would be put up around the harbour. He told how crooks smuggled drugs and laundered money by buying alcohol and tobacco on the Continent and illegally imported it through harbours like Newhaven.

But most shocking was how illegal immigrants, many children, were forced into sweatshop labour or prostitution. 'All these things are real problems nationally,' said Mr Simmons.

Newhaven's MP Norman Baker climbed aboard a pilot boat at the launch to show his support. He said: 'It is very important we do everything in Newhaven to make sure it has a secure port as possible.'

It was important that people used the phone line to halt the influx of drugs and the threat to town businesses who sold legitimate alcohol and tobacco, said the MP.

He added: 'And worst of all the pernicious crime of trafficking human beings which brings misery to those that are involved.'

In the past Mr Baker has criticised cutbacks in the number of customs officer at Newhaven Harbour and labelled it a 'smugglers cove for illicit tobacco, alcohol and drugs.' In 1990 there were 124 customs officers in Newhaven in 2002 just 15.

To call Crimestoppers dial 0800 555111.