M11 traffic latest: Police arrest fourteen suspected migrants found in Lorry in Essex
FOURTEEN people have been arrested in Essex after being found in the back of a lorry.
The driver and passenger have also been detained by highway officials.
The M11 near Harlow was closed between junctions eight and nine as officers attended the scene.
The police were called shortly before 6pm on Wednesday.
The 14 people in the back were detained after being checked by the ambulance service, police said.
The 30-year-old driver and a passenger were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry, the force added.
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Highways England placed closures in both directions following a request from Essex police.
Hundreds of drivers were trapped following the illegal activity.
A source then revealed that the officers then called in paramedics and a HART team to check the suspected immigrants.
The group were given water and medical treatment, and it is unclear how long they remained in the lorry’s trailer.
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Trailer full of illegal immigrants stopped on M11. Searching for two runners. pic.twitter.com/ofAHUbUhUu
— andy brookes (@andybrookes90) June 17, 2020
Police said in a statement: "Officers located the lorry near Junction 9 of the M11 and closed both carriageways to ensure a safe exit for those inside the container.
"Fourteen people from inside the lorry were checked over by the East of England Ambulance Service.
“They have since been detained on suspicion of immigration offences.
"Another two people, the 30-year-old driver and a passenger, have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry."
Police are at the scene of an incident on the M11.
— IanBroughall (@IanBroughall) June 17, 2020
The motorway has been closed in both directions.
Highways England has announced the motorway is completely shut.
The incident has shut the road between junction 8 for London Stansted Airport and junction 9 for Saffron Walden. pic.twitter.com/5fhFZddsAU
Witness Andy Brookes continued: "The police closed the road just before my vehicle, then loads more turned up."
The 44-year-old from Earls Barton continued: "I saw at least four people in the back of the trailer that were wearing COVID face masks.
"I saw about six or seven people on the grass at the side of the motorway."