Knocking on Europe's back door
Updated on 27 October 2007
More4 News reports on how fake documents in Moldova are buying thousands of illegal immigrants entry into the UK.
The number of Moldavans living here has nearly doubled in the past two years. They may come from outside the EU, but there's a loophole enabling them to gain illegal entry into the country via neighbouring Romania. Theirs is a how-to study in climbing the walls of Fortress Europe.
The number of Moldovans living in the UK has increased by forty per cent in the last two years - and it's estimated up to half of them are here illegally.
Figures obtained by More4 News show between January and October 2005 there were 10,000 Moldovans living in Britain - but over the same period this year - that's soared to 14,000.
Part of the Soviet Union until 1991- Moldova is not a member of the European Union. But by applying for citizenship of neighbouring Romania - which IS now an EU member - Moldovans can seek work in the UK.
From the Moldovan capital, Chisinau - Katie Brown has this special report.
