CONDITIONS IN THE refugee camp of Calais have worsened as demolition teams with bulldozers have moved in to remove part of the camp.

Those in the ‘Jungle’ are in the process of staging a sit-in to protest over the removal, and a number of wooden shacks have been set ablaze.

There have also been a number of clashes with security forces.

Writing on Twitter today, UK group Help Refugees noted that six shelters had been set on fire in the camps and claimed that their workers had been prevented from putting out these fires by police.

AFP has reported that along with the bulldozers, roving teams are making their way through the southern part of the camp and trying to convince residents to move to more suitable accommodation.

Many are reluctant to make the move as they believe it will make it will make any eventual passage to Britain harder.

Migrants and activists clear a tent in the Jungle Gareth Fuller / PA Wire Gareth Fuller / PA Wire / PA Wire

It is also understood that moving from the camp would require residents to give fingerprints and to apply for the asylum system in France.

An expulsion order was issued last month for as many as 1,000 refugees and migrants to be removed from the camp.

The Guardian has reported that activists have said some people were forcibly removed earlier today. 

Speaking to the newspaper, Liz Clegg – a British woman who has been working in the camp for the past 6 months – said that CS gas had been used on residents yesterday. 

It is understood that the southern section is home to more than 3,000 people, many of whom originally come from Iran.

Read: Tear gas fired as migrants try to storm Greece-Macedonia border fence

Also: Water cannon used as Jungle camp gets bulldozed