Police find eight suspected illegal immigrants in back of lorry

17 January 2020, 05:18

Police tape
Police confirmed they arrested five men and three minors. Picture: Station owned
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally after officers found them in a lorry on the A38 in Somerset.

A member of the public reportedly saw several people jumping from a lorry in North Petherton on Wednesday evening.

The Home Office confirmed the Immigration Enforcement department was contacted by Avon and Somerset Police at about 1am on Thursday.

Authorities also confirmed that the men had identified themselves as Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian nationals.

Five will be interviewed by immigration officers, while three minors were transferred into the care of social services.

Two Spanish men, aged 43 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal migration.