Five arrested for immigration offences after lorry was pulled over by the M1

Police have now confirmed that five people have been arrested for immigration offences after a white lorry was seen surrounded by police and paramedics this morning (February 5).

Concerned members of the public called Northamptonshire police at 10.50am after spotting the lorry on Saxon Avenue, near to junction 15 of the M1.

Officers from Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire stopped the vehicle and discovered four people hidden inside the container.

They and the lorry driver were checked over by paramedics from East Midlands Ambulance Service and then they were taken into custody for immigration offences.

The driver of the white lorry, a 43-year-old man, was additionally arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration.

Saxon Avenue was temporarily closed off whilst emergency services dealt with the incident.

Inspector Beth Curlett, said: “We would like to pass on our thanks to the members of the public who called police, alerting us to this lorry and their concerns for the welfare of the people on board.

“We will respond robustly to reports of incidents of this nature, particularly when the dangers of people being transported in lorry trailers are so well known.”

All five people currently remain in police custody.