Five Afghans found hiding in vehicle in Calais were en route to Dewsbury

FIVE men from Afghanistan found hiding in a pile of tyres on a lorry bound for West Yorkshire have been stopped from entering the UK.
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Border Force officers discovered the men in the vehicle, which was en route to a tyre firm in Dewsbury, while carrying out a check in Calais, France.

Once the would-be illegal immigrants had been removed and passed to the French authorities, the vehicle was allowed to continue its journey.

The incident took place at 12.15pm on May 29.

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Paul Morgan, Border Force director for the south east and Europe, said: “This incident shows why we base Border Force staff in France, to stop would-be illegal immigrants before they can reach the UK.

“Our strong presence in French ports like Calais and close collaboration with the French authorities helps protect the whole of the UK from people attempting to enter the country illegally.

“As well as using carbon dioxide probes, officers also use heartbeat detectors, sniffer dogs and physical searches to find people hiding in vehicles”.

A leaflet, issued by the Border Force, in partnership with the Serious Organised Crime Agency, gives information and advice to lorry drivers transporting freight to and from the UK on how to prevent illegal immigration and avoid becoming victims of crime.

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The Border Force is a part of the Home Office, responsible for frontline border control operations at air, sea and rail ports in the United Kingdom

Last month officers foiled two separate attempts to smuggle birds into the UK inside suitcases at Leeds Bradford Airport.

A total of nine grey francolin birds, native to South Asia and often bred for fighting, were discovered. On each occasion the birds had been hidden inside suitcases belonging to passengers.