72 arrested after fishing boat intercepted off Norfolk coast
It's prompted a people smuggling investigation by the National Crime Agency
Last updated 19th Nov 2020
Seventy two people have been arrested after a fishing boat was intercepted off the coast of Great Yarmouth on Tuesday (17 November).
The boat, which had sailed from the Ostend area of Belgium, was accompanied into Harwich harbour in the early hours of yesterday morning, where those on board were escorted from the vessel.
It's prompted a people smuggling investigation by the National Crime Agency.
Three crew members, a Latvian national and two Ukrainian nationals, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration.
The other 69 people, all Albanian nationals, were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Immigration Act.
The operation at Harwich was assisted by Essex Police.
NCA Deputy Director of Investigations Craig Naylor said:
“This was clearly a significant incident and a significant attempt to breach the UK’s border controls.
“Our investigation into this attempt continues, and I’d like to thank our partners at Essex Police, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement for all they did last night and their ongoing work in support of our investigation going forward.
“Working with our partners we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle people smuggling networks, and prevent them from exploiting migrants for profit.
“Our aim is to target those who cause harm, safeguard those who are most vulnerable while securing the United Kingdom’s borders.”