By James Johnson

Last updated at 13:22, Thursday, 30 August 2012

Police have arrested six men on suspicion of illegal immigration offences – and it is thought there may be more who have yet to be detained.

The alarm was raised at around 3pm yesterday when a member of the public saw a group of eight to 10 men jump out of a heavy goods vehicle parked on the A66 at Rheged, near Penrith, and jump into some bushes.

By 5pm police had arrested two of the men on suspicion of immigration offences before officers carried out a more extensive search of the area and arrested a further four men.

It is believed there may be men who have yet to be found.

A police spokesman said: “There is nothing to suggest that the men pose any danger to the public.

“We are continuing to search for the heavy goods vehicle that dropped them off.”

The men are believed to be of Afghan origin.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information on the whereabouts of the heavy goods vehicle is urged to contact Cumbria Police on their non-emergency number 101.

First published at 11:24, Thursday, 30 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk