Date: 29 Jun 2010
Latest news and updatesFour stowaways found in a lorry load of machine parts ///////////////////// 25 June 2010 ////////////////// UK Border Agency officers based in Calais have caught four stowaways trying to enter the UK by hiding in a lorry load of machine parts heading for the north east. ///////////////// When officers stopped and inspected the Italian registered vehicle they found that the trailer was unsecured, and a 'body detection dog' indicated that people were hiding inside the load. Four Eritrean nationals were discovered in the lorry, which was destined for an address on the North West Industrial Estate, Peterlee. ////////////// The stowaways were taken off the vehicle, photographed, refused entry to the UK and then handed over to the French authorities. The lorry was allowed to continue its journey to the UK. ///////////// The haulier has been fined £3,000 (£750 for each stowaway) and the lorry driver, who is Serbian, £800 (£200 for each stowaway). /////////// Hundreds of UK Border Agency officers based at ports in France and Belgium work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to stop illegal immigrants before they step foot in the UK. In addition to body detection dogs, they use carbon dioxide detectors and heartbeat monitors as well as visual searches to find sometimes well hidden stowaways. ///////////// UK Border Agency director Tom Dowdall, who heads operations in northern France, said: ///////////// 'The UK Border Agency's strong presence at the frontier, not only in the UK but also in northern France, helps protect the whole country from people illegally entering the UK and then heading for towns and cities across Britain - in this case Peterlee. ///////////// 'We are committed to tackling illegal immigration and its harmful effects. //////////// 'Our officers use hi-tech search equipment and an array of search techniques to combat illegal immigration. These include body detection dogs, carbon dioxide detectors and heartbeat monitors as well as visual searches to find well hidden stowaways.' //////////// 000000000