Czech Republic to consider tightening border controls over refugees

In the coming months, the Czech Republic is likely to further tighten border controls by deploying more policemen, said Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec and Police President Tomas Tuhy on Thursday.

About 100 policemen from regions that do not face migration problems are to be deployed on border controls.

Chovanec said the police are currently assessing the situation and the measures taken against illegal migrants. He said it is possible to tighten border controls in August and deploy more policemen.

Tuhy said the number of border checks is likely to be increased at the end of summer holiday. He said police must monitor the border and other entries to the Czech Republic more intensively if they want to efficiently fight illegal migration.

Tuhy admitted more policemen involved extra costs and that some localities might be short of policemen, but said this should not cause a threat to safety in the regions.

Czech police detained over 3,000 illegal migrants in the first half of this year. More than 750 people were detained during the current tightened border checks, said Tuhy.

The Czech government on Wednesday approved a national migration strategy in which authorities will fight against illegal migration and promote the preservation of people's free movement within the Schengen area. The state also wants actively communicate with the public on this issue. Endit