SEVEN would-be illegal immigrants have been stopped from entering the country after Border Force officers found them hiding inside a lorry which was bound for Amersham.

The Albanian men were discovered at the Port of Calais in France when Border Force officers, along with sniffer dog Sam, searched the Romanian registered lorry as it waited to board a ferry to the UK.

The truck was carrying a load of toys which was bound for an address in Amersham.

The stowaways were handed over to the French border police and the vehicle was allowed to continue onto its destination.

Paul Morgan, Border Force Director for South East & Europe, said: "This incident shows why we base Border Force staff in France - to stop would-be illegal immigrants before they can reach the UK. “Our strong presence in French ports like Calais, and close collaboration with French authorities, helps protect the whole of the UK from people attempting to enter the country illegally.”

The stowaways were discovered at around 6.30am on September 14, but the Border Force has only this week released details of the incident.

As well as using sniffer dogs Border Force officers also use heartbeat detectors, carbon dioxide probes and physical searches to find people hiding in vehicles.

A leaflet, issued by the Border Force, in partnership with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), gives information and advice to lorry drivers transporting freight to and from the UK on how to prevent illegal immigration and avoid becoming victims of crime.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/july/22lorry-crime-prevent