Evros border patrol being boosted
Authorities expect the transfer of 1,881 policemen to guard Greece?s northeastern border with Turkey to have an immediate impact on the number of undocumented immigrants trying to enter the country.
The transfer of officers from Macedonia, Thessaly, the Ionian islands and Epirus began on Saturday despite some policemen?s objections.
The move has been prompted by unrest in Syria and concerns that many of the 150,000 refugees that have gathered in Turkey might seek to make their way to European Union countries. But it was also triggered by the rise in illegal immigration.
During the first half of 2012, there was a 30 percent rise, with about 120 undocumented migrants crossing the border each day.
At the moment, the Evros border is guarded by about 600 guards provided by Greece and the EU border agency, Frontex
