AFP/GETTY Police are under unprecedented strain in Calais

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Officers fear it is only a matter of time before one of their number is killed by rampaging asylum seekers, who are becoming increasingly violent in their attempts to reach Britain. Today more than 100 local police protested in Calais town centre against a lack of resources and "cop hater" left-wing activists amid mass resignations and plummeting morale.

Police union leaders warned that officers are "risking their lives every day" patrolling the lawless port town, which is overrun by gangs of migrants wielding iron bars, rocks and even knives and guns. They angrily chanted and waved banners in the town centre reading "stop the hatred against cops" and "we want protection and recognition" as the startling decline of a town once best known as the holiday gateway to Europe was laid bare for all to see.

AFP French police officers are deserting posts in Calais in their droves

AFP More than 300 officers have been wounded in the last two months

Their desperate cry for help comes amid growing anger from British haulage groups over the intolerable situation in Calais, with lorry drivers being attacked on a daily basis by migrants trying to reach the UK. Desperate French cops said they had been vilified by left-wing media and politicians for trying to do their jobs and police the border with Britain, whilst also pleading for more men and resources to tackle the spiralling migrant violence. Gilles Debove, regional leader of the SGP Police union, said officers are "tired" and "fear" being called out to confront brazen and often armed migrants who have taken to cutting down trees and blocking up the motorway to the port.