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For many British holidaymakers, a leisurely drive through France in their motorhome is the perfect getaway. But certain recent incidents have highlighted an unexpected risk - that is, of stowaways either hiding inside people’s motorhomes, or in external areas such as bike racks or trailers. Apart from the total shock of realising you have unknowingly brought home an extra passenger who isn’t supposed to be here, these situations can also lead to hefty fines - as we will find out below - even when travellers report the discovery themselves.
One couple’s recent ordeal
In October 2024, Adrian and Joanne Fenton from Heybridge, Essex, returned from a French road trip unaware that a 16-year-old Sudanese boy had concealed himself inside the zipped cover of their motorhome’s bike rack. After a six-hour drive home, they subsequently discovered him on their driveway and immediately contacted the police.
The Home Office later fined the Fentons £1,500 for allegedly failing to check for ‘clandestine entrants’ before crossing the Channel. The Fentons said that border officials hadn’t inspected the bike rack, nor the cover, before or after the ferry crossing.
The couple were outraged, arguing they had acted responsibly by reporting the stowaway, and suggested that if the authorities were going to fine people this would surely encourage them to not call the police and to let any stowaways get away! Their local MP raised the issue in Parliament, stating they should be ‘thanked rather than punished.’ Following public outcry and an appeal, the fine was eventually cancelled, with the couple’s integrity acknowledged by officials.
And there’s more!
The Fenton’s experience is not an isolated one. Also in 2024, Peter Hughes and Anne Lawton from Greater Manchester were fined £6,000 after a Sudanese man was found curled up in their trailer at Calais. The couple, both in their seventies, were devastated, claiming they had no idea anyone had entered their trailer after they had stopped at a supermarket. Following an intervention from the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, their fine was reduced to £150.
Similarly, Ed Masters and Jane Cave from Norfolk were fined £3,000 after discovering a migrant in their van upon returning from a trip to France. Despite reporting the incident to the police themselves, they too were penalised, leading them to describe the fine as ‘unfair’.
How to protect yourself
These cases certainly emphasise the importance of vigilance when travelling abroad in your motorhome! Here’s a few ideas of what you could do to avoid a similar issue from occurring…
Inspect your motorhome thoroughly
Before boarding ferries, or the Eurotunnel, check all the compartments of your motorhome, including bike racks, trailers, storage areas and hatches. It’s important to do the checks yourself, even if Border Control officials have also done their own. It’s also a good idea to do them when arriving at, and leaving, both the UK and France.
When checking inside, be sure to look in the toilet and the shower, under beds, and in cupboards. When checking outside, do remember to check underneath the motorhome as well.
Stay alert during your rest stops
Be cautious at rest areas or supermarkets near ports, as these are potential points where stowaways might attempt to board unnoticed. Don’t leave any doors or windows open at any point, and make sure you know where your keys are at all times. Put the alarm on, if you have one fitted, if you leave the motorhome unattended at all.
Report issues immediately
If you discover someone hiding in or on your vehicle, contact the authorities without delay, whether that’s Border Control or the police.
Avoid creating any hiding places
Try to avoid creating unnecessary hiding places if you are worried - if it’s easier to leave covers off of certain external items while the motorhome is stationary, it might be worth considering if it’s safe to do so. Put locks on all the doors, even the motorhome’s garage, and make sure the roof light is secure.
Putting all these measures in place should both help to prevent any stowaways, and also aid your defence should it ever happen to you.
So, as the travel season approaches, don’t worry, but do ensure you’re prepared, as a simple visual check could save you from a complex and costly ordeal.
Stay safe on your travels!