AN ASSURANCE has been given to people living in Dover by the new Home Secretary Charles Clarke that he will crack down on “chancers” who abuse the asylum system.

Mr Clarke chose the Kent town for his first ministerial visit since taking over from David Blunkett in December, after being invited by the area's MP, Gwyn Prosser.

He visited immigration officials at the port before taking a tour of the Western Heights Immigration and Removal Centre.

Mr Clarke, said: “I give the assurance to the people of Dover that the total focus of policy in this area to create a fair and balanced system of immigration and asylum.

“This means that people living in a port such as this can live their lives in a secure and positive way.

“People seek asylum to flee oppressive regimes - that is a British tradition, but side by side with that are chancers trying to break through the system. It is my job to minimise those in the second category and ensure those fleeing persecution are properly treated.”

He did not accept that people living at East Cliff faced an unfair burden, with nearby hotels being used as induction centres for newly-arrived asylum seekers, because numbers had fallen.

While Mr Clarke was impressed with work being done by port officials, he said more work still needed to be done.

The visit to Dover was made so Mr Clarke could understand the issues facing the town and port, but it did not include any contact with residents.

“There has not been the time today to talk to residents, but I do commit myself to Gwyn Prosser and the residents of Dover that I will continue to make improvements to the system.”

He did, however, suggest, that people would be consulted over future plans for the asylum system, when the government release a document looking at asylum policy over the next five years.

“I am more than happy to have a discussion here in Dover on the issues in that policy to carry them through in an effective way,” he added.