Police called off search for migrants who leapt from lorry in Maldon in under 48 hours

POLICE stopped searching for four migrants filmed leaping from the top of a removals lorry after less than 48 hours and have admitted they are unlikely to be found.

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

It is believed they cut a hole through the soft top of the lorry to gain access at Rouen in France, before border security in Calais failed to identify them inside and they made it into the UK via the Euro Tunnel.

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.

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 and the partial open back of the lorry which was packed with boxes and cases.

The 62-year-old Portuguese lorry driver was arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and questioned but later released with no further action after it emerged he had no idea they were on board.

On Tuesday, an Essex Police spokesman said the search was still underway.

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

However, a police source today confirmed it was off.

The source said: "They haven’t been found. I do not believe Essex Police resources area actively on the ground looking for them anymore – we conducted an intensive ground search of the area yesterday."

The source said with no known identities or record of them anywhere in the UK, enquiries that could be undertaken were limited aside investigating any Essex sightings that may be reported.

"We would still be keen for anyone who has any information about their whereabouts to get in touch of course," they added.

The source also said a police helicopter or drones were not used at the time as they were unavailable.

The source added: "Officers tried for our Drone Unit and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) after arriving at the scene within minutes. Neither resource was immediately available to us for the search activity."

The Home Office initially declined to comment on the incident, claiming it was for Essex Police to respond.

But has now issued a statement claiming it is doing all it can to prevent clandestine entry by lorries.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are relentless in our pursuit of people-smuggling gangs and stand ready to respond to all methods, including lorries and other clandestine routes.

“That’s why the Home Secretary has set out the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times, removing incentives which draw people to the UK illegally and making it easier to remove and deport them.

“Our tougher legislation and continued work with our French counterparts will disrupt vile people-smuggling gangs.”