BORDER Force officers swarmed on a south Essex marina in what was a suspected false alarm.
About eight of the Home Office’s customs and immigration officers arrived at Essex Marina on Wallasea Island at about 1pm, staying until shortly before 3pm.
Marina owner David Barke said he was told by an officer that a boat was being escorted by an Essex Police boat into the marina, however, a Home Office spokesman later confirmed there were no immigration offences recorded and no arrests made as a result of the incident.
He said: “I was told they were waiting for a boat being escorted or towed by Essex Police but couldn’t tell me what for, whether it was illegal immigrants or drugs.
“We occasionally see one or two Border Control officers here but that was the first time I’ve seen so many – it’s rare we ever get anything like this down at the marina.”
Other recent incidents include Southend Coastguard having to rescue a 73-year-old man who suffered leg injuries aboard his yacht in April, as well as man suffering chest pains while trapped on his boat in January.
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