Stowaways halted on way to Yorkshire

Seven stowaways attempting to illegally enter the UK were stopped after Border Force officials found them hiding inside a lorry bound for Yorkshire.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jul 2012, 21:10 BST

The group of Palestinians were discovered inside a Slovakian registered vehicle in Calais as it waited to cross into the UK.

The lorry, which was heading to the Carr Hill area of Doncaster, was randomly selected for a search and the would-be illegal immigrants were found hiding inside its load of steel wire rope.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Officials from Border Force, which was created after splitting off from the UK Border Agency in March, handed them over to French police and the vehicle was allowed to continue on to its destination.

Carole Upshall, of Border Force, 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 helps protect the whole of the UK from people attempting to enter the country illegally.”

Freight drivers found with stowaways can face fines of up to £2,000 per passenger.

Information and advice on how drivers can help to prevent illegal immigration, issued by the Border Force and the Serious Organised Crime Agency, can be found at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Related topics:Border ForceYorkshirePalestinians