TWENTY-SIX suspected illegal immigrants have been picked up in Thurrock this week.

Fifteen men and women were arrested after they jumped off the back of a lorry on the A13 near the Five Bells on Monday morning.

Last Thursday Border Agency officers raided Bismah Furniture on the Purfleet Industrial Park off the A127 and arrested 11 men for working illegally.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We work closely with the police to tackle illegal immigration and continue to strengthen the security of our border to stop those who have no right to enter the UK.”

Shocked motorists described how they watched the 15 suspected illegals launch themselves off the back of a lorry and dash down the hard shoulder of the A13.

Darren Hart, 48, who was a passenger, said: “We were travelling towards London when we spotted a wagon on the Southend–bound carriageway pull over.

“The next thing about 20 people jumped out the back and started running down the carriageway towards London!

“About 200 yards in front of where they were running there were two police cars.

“It looked to us like the cops had been tipped off and were waiting for them.” As the Gazette went to press the 15 were being questioned by police and Border Agency officers.

Meanwhile, more details about the 11 men in Purfleet were revealed. Ten were from Pakistan and one was from Ghana. They were arrested for working illegally.

Nine had overstayed their visas and two were working in breach of their visa conditions.