UPDATED: Investigation launched after 7 stowaways taken off ship at Portland Port
They are thought to be Albanian nationals
Last updated 11th Feb 2021
An investigation's been launched after 7 stowaways, believed to be Albanian nationals were arrested and taken off a cargo ship at Portland Port yesterday.
The incident started to unfold at around 5.40am on Tuesday morning.
Dorset Police received a call alongside the ambulance service.
They were told that a person on board a commercial vessel the 'Chise Bulker' which was off the coast of Portland needed medical help.
Police say following enquiries, it was established that a small number of 'unidentified individuals' had been located on board the vessel and none of them required any medical assistance.
Video supplied by Geoff Moore
Officers then liaised with the Border Force, the vessel’s crew and other partner agencies and arrangements were made for the vessel to safely dock at Portland Port.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said:
“A total of seven individuals – believed to be Albanian nationals – were arrested by police and escorted from the ship. They will be considered by the Border Force and UK Visas and Immigration for potential offences.
“The ship’s crew are being spoken to by officers and enquiries are ongoing to establish whether there are any reports of criminal offences. There were no reports of any injuries to the crew or the detainees involved in this incident.
“We would like to thank all those involved in the multi-agency operation to ensure this vessel could safely be brought into port and those on board taken safely to shore.”