The Road Haulage Association has called on the government to review the system which means that hauliers are fined if illegal migrants are found in their trucks.
The move follows new figures showing a 12 per cent increase in the number of fines issued to hauliers.
Chief executive Richard Burnett said: “We now regularly hear of hauliers who are throwing in the towel. They just want to do their job – not face regular acts of intimidation or violence. And who can blame them?
“The Clandestine Civil Penalty scheme to tackle lax and careless operators was introduced in 1999 at a time when the number of illegal migrants heading towards the UK was considerably less. The playing field has now changed and we believe that the scheme is out-dated and must be reviewed.”
