A woman and a child aged just 6, were smuggled into the UK in the back of a lorry via ferry - a crime which saw three people arrested. The trio were detained by National Crime Agency officers on the morning of Sunday 23 March, after a lorry arrived on a ferry from Hook of Holland into the port of Killingholme in North Lincolnshire.

It was searched by Border Force, who were working with the NCA, and the woman and child, both Albanian nationals, were found concealed in the cab. They were handed to the immigration authorities.

The lorry’s driver, a 36-year-old from Poland, was arrested. He was later charged with facilitating illegal immigration, and is understood to have appeared before Grimsby Magistrates on Monday, March 24.

Shortly after, two Albanian men aged 44 and 26 were also arrested by NCA officers a few miles from the port. They had driven up from the Hendon area of London and were suspected of being on their way to meet the lorry.

The National Crime Agency report that the 44-year-old was bailed pending further enquiries, while the 26-year-old remains in custody as he is believed to be the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, which could see him extradited to Italy where he is wanted in connection with drug trafficking offences.

NCA Regional Head of Investigations Jacque Beer said: "Tackling organised immigration crime remains a top priority for the NCA. While many of the groups involved are based overseas, where there are UK-based individuals engaged in this type of criminality they can expect the full attention of the NCA and our partners.

"Our investigation into this incident continues."