17 held on M1 as car driver tips off police
A GROUP of 17 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested after being found inside a lorry on the M1.
The lorry driver , a P olish national, was also held when the heavy goods vehicle was stopped by police on Saturday. A motorist had called 999 after seeing the ‘suspicious’ vehicle on the M25 in Hertfordshire.
He said he could see the rear doors of the lorry ‘ flexing’ as people inside tried to force them open.
The driver followed it on to the M1 where it was then intercepted by police at Junction 9 close to St Albans.
The 17 men were arrested on suspicion of illegally entering the UK. They told police they had come from V ietnam. Fifteen said they were aged under 18.
The 40-year-old lorry driver was arrested on suspicion of assisting people entering the UK unlawfully. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to £36,000 – £2,000 for each migrant.
A picture released by police shows some of the men in handcuffs, sitting on the ground at a service station in front of the lorry. The vehicle’s back door was open, revealing a space in front of its cargo where the men are understood to have stowed away.
The lorry was carrying toiletries and air fresheners.
Under Home Office rules, lorry drivers can be fined up to £2,000 for each migrant found at the British border. They can appeal by proving all reasonable care was taken to secure their vehicle.
But hauliers in France say they have been confronted by migrants wielding guns, iron bars and knives.
Over the past three years, at least 6,494 stowaways have been discovered trying to sneak into this country in trucks.
Meanwhile, it emerged yes - terday that 100 elite British troops had been moved to a barracks in K ent to act as a Quick Reaction F orce should terrorists attempt to blow up the Channel Tunnel or Euro - star terminals on this side of the Channel.
The Royal Marines and Paras from the Special Forces Support Group have trans - ferred from their base in St Athan, South Wales, to Folkestone to respond to any attack by Islamic State - inspired fanatics.
Fine of £2,000 for each migrant