Eight arrested after men, women and children found 'banging' in back of lorry in Romford

Several people have been arrested on suspicion of illegal entry into the UK after 11 men, women and children were found in the back of a lorry in east London. Police were called to the Harold Hill area of Romford on 15 June following reports of "banging" from inside a lorry.

During the inspection of the cargo area, officers found eight adults and three children, including a baby, inside the vehicle. All the adults were arrested on suspicion of illegally entering the UK and the children taken into police protection.

The Romford Recorder reporting witnesses described the people inside being "calm" and even saying hello when the cargo door was opened.

It has not been confirmed where the people inside the lorry had come from. A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police in Havering were called to Ashton Road, Harold Hill, at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday, 15 June, to reports of the sound of banging coming from the back of a lorry. Officers opened the cargo container and found 11 people – eight adults and three children – inside.

"No one was injured. The eight adults – we await a breakdown – were arrested on suspicion of illegal entry into the UK. The children were taken into police protection."