Person charged with assisting illegal entry to UK after migrants discovered in back of a lorry

17 February 2024, 17:37 | Updated: 17 February 2024, 17:42

A person has been charged with assisting illegal entry to the UK, after migrants were found in the back of a lorry at Newhaven ferry port, the Home Office has said
A person has been charged with assisting illegal entry to the UK, after migrants were found in the back of a lorry at Newhaven ferry port, the Home Office has said. Picture: Alamy

By Christian Oliver

A person has been charged with assisting illegal entry to the UK, after migrants were found in the back of a lorry at Newhaven ferry port, the Home Office has said.

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Six people were taken to hospital after the discovery at the east Sussex port on Friday, officials said.

The discovery of migrants in the back of the lorry sparked a major emergency services response, with ambulances, police and Border Force attending.

No deaths have been reported by Sussex Police.

Two men were arrested in connection with the incident, one was detained on suspicion of people smuggling and the other on suspicion of entering the UK illegally.

On Saturday the Home Office said an unnamed person has been charged.

The scene at Newhaven ferry port after migrants have been found in the back of a lorry at port in East Sussex, Friday
The scene at Newhaven ferry port after migrants have been found in the back of a lorry at port in East Sussex, Friday. Picture: Alamy

A Home Office spokesman said: "Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and emergency services continue to investigate an incident in Newhaven on Friday.

"An individual has been charged with assisting unlawful entry into the UK.

"While the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further."

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