Four illegal migrants who jumped from top of lorry as it pulled up near Maldon are still on the run - Home Office refusal to comment as claims helicopter search not carried out

FOUR migrants who were filmed clambering off a lorry at the side of a busy road in broad daylight are still at large, police have admitted.

The four men were recorded emerging onto the roof of a removals lorry that is understood to have travelled from Portugal before jumping off and heading towards bushes.

It is believed they cut a hole through the soft top of the lorry to gain access.

The remarkable scene was filmed by a concerned passerby in a layby off the A414 just outside Maldon, Essex, on Monday, August 3 at about 4pm.

The footage which was shared widely on social media has raised more concerns about out border security after a surge in migrants crossing the Channel on small boats last week.

Essex Police later swamped the area with several force vehicles later filmed parked around the lorry.

Further pictures posted on Facebook showed police officers at the scene yesterday and the partial open back of the lorry which was packed with boxes and cases.

A police spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of around four people seen running from a lorry in a layby on the A414 in Maldon at just before 4pm yesterday (Monday 3 August).

"Officers quickly attended and searched the area.

"They have not been located at this stage, but work is ongoing.

 "One person, a man in his 60s, has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the UK.

"We would ask people not to share footage online but share information with us directly.

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

Please quote incident 877 of 3 August."

The driver was later released with no further action as it is believed it was an opportunistic strike by the migrants.

It has prompted fears among the local community, and the Home Office has been contacted for comment.

One woman posted: "Deeply concerning that border patrols have not checked the vehicle properly. Hope the police got them."

The force has been criticised for not using a helicopter or drones in the search.

The spokesman responded: "I don’t have full details of the operational search from yesterday. But I know it was fulsome and continues."

Reform MP Robert Jenrick shared the video on Facebook with the caption: "3pm Essex. Are these the first migrants from Ceuta to reach our shores? A group of illegal migrants climbed out of the back of a lorry from Southern Portugal that would have passed through Spain.

Deport. Now."

Reform Councillor Sam Journet, the Cabinet Member for Education on Essex County Council, also shared the clip on Facebook.

He wrote: "A group of illegal migrants have been caught emerging from the back of a lorry in Essex this afternoon after the vehicle travelled via southern Portugal and Spain.

"Reform UK will stop illegal immigration like this, and increase border security. This incident is exactly why we need Operation Fortress.

"Incidents like this raise very serious questions about border security and immigration policy. Why do you think Labour allows this to happen?"

The men emerged from the lorry which is owned by Algarve Removals, a company based near the layby which runs a weekly removal service from the Algarve to the UK.

Reform Essex County Councillor for MaIdon Town and Heybridge visited the site this morning.

He posted: "Have been onsite again this morning and the lorry has gone. I have not had any updates overnight from Essex police. I have chased them again as well as contacted the Chief Constable & the Essex Police & Crime Commissioner to provide an update as soon as possible."

Algarve Removals is run by local businessman John Scott, who said he was opposed to illegal immigration and that the firm took every precaution to prevent stowaways, but despite this he has received a barrage of abuse and threats on his phone since the footage was shared.

He said: "The driver, a 62-year-old Portuguese man, was detained. He was in pieces.

"By 10:30pm last night the police said they had not been found. Had they put the helicopter up or drones they may have found them."

He added: "We are working with the police in their investigation currently. We would like to categorically confirm that we do not condone this and are deeply upset and frustrated this has happened to our company.

"Having traded for over 30 years, we have never experienced an incident of this nature before. The security of our vehicles is something we take extremely seriously at all times.

"The vehicle in question was subject to a security inspection by French and UK Border Force in Calais prior to its departure to the UK. No issues were raised and our lorry was allowed through.

"There were stringent checks at Calais with dogs alongside and carbon monoxide sniffers inside and we got the green light ,good to go, and it got on the Channel Tunnel all the way to Maldon.

"At this stage, I can share that we believe the individuals gained access to the trailer through the roof where a large hole was cut during our overnight stay near Rouen, France. This is a secure truckstop. The rear doors and side curtains remained sealed and secured with a security locking device throughout. The trailer did not stop from the point it left Rouen, France to arrive at our location in Essex.

"The issue with immigration in the UK is a serious problem and one that we as a company are facing sending multiple lorries weekly from Europe to the UK. Unfortunately attempts to gain access to commercial vehicles entering the UK remains a challenge across the transport industry. We will take extra measures to ensure our lorries are not subject to this situation again."

The Home Office refused to comment, saying it was a matter for police, despite the wider implications for border security and four suspected immigration offenders being at large.