Suspected illegal immigrant found at motorway services

Cheshire Police have been carrying out enforcement action targeting organised crime groups involved in trafficking and exploitation over the past three months.

This involved checks on lorries at the M62 Burtonwood Services and Lymm Services on the M6 on five separate dates during January, February and March.

In total, 148 HGVs were stopped and £11,200 was recovered in fines from hauliers who have outstanding notices for having ‘clandestines’ on their vehicles previously.

A further 96 fixed penalties totalling £18,750 were issued.

And the force says ‘one Iranian clandestine’ surrendered to police at the scene of one spot check and will be dealt with by Border Force officers.

Detective sergeant Darren Wright said: “Clandestine entry to the UK poses a significant risk of life to those who have been concealed in the vehicles and transported overseas to the UK and vice versa.

“We recognise that many of the successful clandestine entry attempts involve road haulage vehicles due to the amount of hiding space in the vehicle and the ease of movement in and out of the UK through legitimate and identified travel routes.

“Organised crime groups also know this and exploit this method of movement in and out of the UK and recruit complicit drivers to assist with the facilitation of illegal entry of people and goods.

“Sadly, many who successfully gain illegal entry into the UK often end up becoming victims of modern slavery offences.

“Many will become subjected to further criminal exploitation, so it’s important drivers play their part in protecting vulnerable people by understanding the risks and knowing how to keep themselves safe from these criminal gangs.

“These operations highlight the work we do 24/7 to disrupt criminals who use our road network to commit crime and serves as a warning to criminals that we are out there policing the roads with our partners to disrupt illegal activity and make Cheshire a no go area for criminals.”