On the one hand, this is harsh, the couple clearly had no ill intent, and £1500 seems like a large fine for negligence (although I’m unaware how wealthy the couple is)
But at the same time, if you remove the fine for negligently smuggling illegal immigrants into the country, it will be weaponised by criminals.
I’m not familiar with the process of driving across the channel. Is it drilled into you, multiple times, that you must check your vehicle? If not, it really should be.
I’m conflicted on this.
On the one hand, this is harsh, the couple clearly had no ill intent, and £1500 seems like a large fine for negligence (although I’m unaware how wealthy the couple is)
But at the same time, if you remove the fine for negligently smuggling illegal immigrants into the country, it will be weaponised by criminals.
I’m not familiar with the process of driving across the channel. Is it drilled into you, multiple times, that you must check your vehicle? If not, it really should be.
The problem is that they found them and reported them, then still got fined!
That encourages people to not report it, hell, it discourages checking… Because if you find someone and report it you get fined!
But if you remove the penalty, the criminals will report it and face no consequences.
But this existing system also clearly discourages legitimate people from reporting stowaways.
It’s a mess without an easy solution.
Why would they report it and attract attention to themselves if the fine was removed?
I guess it would enable 1 off recruits, do it once get paid and then report it to be legally clear…