Immigrant stowaways seized fleeing from boat in Channel
A SEA rescue turned into an unlikely game of “catch” after a motorboat full of illegal immigrants broke down in the English Channel.
After being towed to safety by harbour staff at Eastbourne, East Sussex, several men tried to escape before police arrived at the scene.
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If it hadn’t broken down and caught the attention of the lock keepers they probably would have got away with it
Witness Peter Crowhurst said: “I looked over and all of a sudden I saw all these figures leaping out over the lock gates and running everywhere.
In total, 13 Albanians aged 19 to 39 were arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally, along with a boy believed to be aged 14.
The adults were kept in custody before being taken to immigration removal centres for questioning. The teenager was placed in the care of social services.
A British man was also arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry after the ruse was rumbled on Saturday morning.
Mr Crowhurst added: “I was surprised when I heard there were 14 people inside because it was only a small boat. If it hadn’t broken down and caught the attention of the lock keepers they probably would have got away with it.”
