The migrants sneaking OUT of Britain

For years, thousands have hidden in the backs of lorries and even risked death in their determination to cross the Channel and reach Britain.

But the tide of illegal immigrants appears to be turning, with border officials reporting an increase in the numbers being caught – this time sneaking out of the UK.

Amazed Belgian border officers say they have encountered the first case of someone trying to leave Britain.

Freddy van Damme, a public prosecutor based at Bruges, near Zeebrugge: "We found a man on the back seat of a car with false papers.

"He had failed to get asylum in Britain and wanted to try his luck in Europe.

"The driver trying to smuggle him into Belgium had placed two small children next to the man in order to mislead our border staff. He was arrested for human trafficking."

Mr van Damme said four other smugglers are being held in the Ostend and Zeebrugge ports on charges of bringing illegal immigrants from Britain.

He added: "Something like this would have been unimaginable in the past. There is no doubt that the tide has turned and illegals are now coming our way from Britain."

But life in Belgium is no easier. Under tough immigration laws, asylum seekers are no longer entitled to generous welfare payments, with many forced to wait for years until their cases are heard.

Most are imprisoned or put into refugee centres before being flown back to their home country.

The man caught at Zeebrugge, a Sri Lankan, entered Britain illegally three years ago. He failed to get asylum. Mr van Damme said: "We sent him back to Britain.

"For years our police have concentrated on vehicles heading to British ports. Now we have to control the incoming traffic."