Illegal Immigrants Run Across Motorway

Police had to briefly shut the M27 near Fareham earlier after a group of illegal immigrants escaped from a delivery lorry and ran across the motorway.

The lorry, which had travelled from Italy had stopped in Segensworth North. The men inside cut a hole in the side and ran towards the M27, then across the carriageway into 70MPH traffic, causing mayhem.

Police slowed traffic on the M27 in both directions between Segensworth and Burseldon just before midday and briefly shut the motorway to round the men up and arrest them.

They caught three men but think there might be a fourth.

Officers tell us the men are of Chinese/Oriental nationality.

In a statement, police said:

"Police closed both carriageways of the M27 between Hamble Bridge and just past Junction 9 at Fareham after reports that four men, believed to be illegal immigrants, were seen running from the back of a lorry.
 
"The incident happened at 11.56am and police were alerted by the driver of the lorry who had had travelled from Italy and was delivering goods in Segensworth.
 
"Air support was called in from Bournemouth to help locate the men who had run onto the motorway.
 
"Police on the ground formed a rolling roadblock to keep traffic back while the road ahead was closed.
 
"Three of the four men were caught and arrested shortly before 1pm. The oustanding man is described as being of Chinese extraction and wearing dark clothing.
 
The road has now been reopened."