Police arrested nine suspected illegal immigrants in Grays today after they were found smuggled on a lorry from Europe.

The bust took place at 9am this morning on London Road.

Officers pulled the suspicious lorry over to the side of the road and opened it to find the suspected immigrants.

Five adults were arrested on suspicion of being illegal immigrants and taken to Grays Police Station who handed them to the UK Border Force.

Four suspected immigrants who claimed to be under 18 have been passed into the care of Essex Social Services to be age assessed.

Police did not confirm if the driver of the lorry was detained.

Inspector Lewis Basford broke news of the bust this morning on twitter.

From his twitter handle @InspBasford: “Team currently dealing with nine persons arrested in #Grays for illegal entry into the UK via a lorry from Europe.”

A spokesman for the Home Office said:  “Immigration Enforcement was contacted by Essex Police today after police officers attended an incident in Grays, Thurrock. 

“Nine people were arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally. Five of those arrested will now be transferred to Immigration Enforcement for interview.

“Four people claiming to be under 18 will be passed in to the care of Essex Social Services to be age assessed.

The spokeswoman also gave advice on future immigration arrests.

She said: “Where someone is found to have no right to remain in the UK, we will take action to remove them.

“Immigration Enforcement is an operational directorate within the Home Office responsible for enforcing immigration.”