Warrants executed in Hastings and St Leonards following crackdown on immigration crime

Eight people have been arrested after a series of warrants were executed across the South of England following an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

By The Newsroom

Published 13th Dec 2017, 13:08 BST

Updated 13th Dec 2017, 13:10 BST

The warrants, which were executed in the early hours of this morning (December 13), took place in Hastings, St Leonards and Eastbourne in East Sussex, Folkestone, Ashford and Plymouth.

At this stage eight people are currently in police custody in connection with organised immigration crime offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Steel, Head of Investigations at the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said “This investigation involves a highly organised criminal network organising and facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants into the UK. Today has seen the culmination of a lengthy operation headed by SEROCU with the support of a number of partner agencies.

“At this moment we have eight people held at police stations across the South of England in connection with this crime. The investigation of organised immigration crime is a priority for SEROCU and today’s activity is the culmination of many months of work.”