Dogs detect illegal immigrants in Lytham-bound lorry
Date: 14 August 2008
By Joe Robinson

FOUR illegal immigrants tried to smuggle themselves into the UK in a lorry load of shaving gel bound for Lytham.
The men from India were found tucked away in a purpose-built hideout on the axle of a German tractor and trailer in the French port of Calais.

Officers from the UK Border Agency say the four stowaways were well hidden.

But they could not escapeADVERTISEMENTsniffer dogs at the port and were detained and questioned by officials and prevented from travelling with the vehicle.

Border Agency officials say the driver of the vehicle, who is now being investigated, was also found with three Iranian men strapped to boards under his lorry around eight months ago.

After his latest detention, the driver, who has not been named, admitted his cargo was destined for the Fylde coast.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "It's important we stop would-be illegal immigrants before they reach the UK.

"That's why we've got hundreds of British immigration officers based at our ports in France and Belgium.

"Last year we searched over one million lorries and prevented 18,000 foreign nationals from crossing the English Channel without permission.

The newly formed UK Border Agency is an amalgamation of the former Border and Immigration Agency, UK Visas and HM Revenue and Customs.

They have performed a number of operations in Blackpool, arresting a series of foreign nationals during raids on takeaway restaurants in the resort. The agency spokesman added new technology was playing a key role in preventing illegal immigrants from entering the UK in the first place.

"There are many different ways that illegal immigrants try to get into the country," he said.

"However, thanks to modern technology and rigorous training undertaken by those securing our borders, we're able to detect them and prevent them settling illegally.

"Over recent years the technology used has improved and we now have devices which can detect heartbeats hidden deep inside trucks.

"Officers also use carbon dioxide machines and sniffer dogs to find other well-hidden stowaways."

When foreign nationals apply for visas at embassies across the world, they now have to give their fingerprints.

"This has recently stopped 3,000 people from using false identities to get to Britain."
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk:80/bl ... 4388255.jp