A group of 16 people have been arrested in Dartford this morning on suspicion of illegal entry to the UK.

Kent Police confirmed a number of people are being dealt with by immigration officials following the arrest.

Dartford and Gravesend PC Martin Taylor posted on Twitter: "16 people have been arrested in #dartford this morning on suspicion of illegal entry to the UK #police."

 

When asked whether it was an organised police operation PC Taylor said officers received a call regarding a sighting of people running from the back of a lorry.

He said he did not know where the group had got on to the lorry, but they were located in Dartford.

The arrest in Dartford comes after Kent County Council boss Paul Carter warned that social services is struggling to cope with the influx of child asylum-seekers. 

The number of young migrants in the local authority's care has almost doubled to 605 in the last three months, leaving it with a multi-million pound funding gap.

More to follow.

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