Immigrants 'cut train's brakes'

Safety fears have been raised by the daring immigrants

Kent police have arrested up to 20 suspected illegal immigrants after a freight train was stopped by having its brake pipes cut after travelling through the Channel Tunnel.

It is thought up to 40 immigrants, believed to be of Eastern European origin, hid on the English, Welsh and Scottish (EWS) train in France.

On reaching British soil shortly after 1800 GMT on Sunday the train was stopped.

The incident has led to safety fears over the desperate measures immigrants take in order to get into Britain.

'Very dangerous'

Some of them were hidden in a steel container and had to cut themselves out using an axe and a chisel, said British Transport Police.

Others are believed to have boarded the train in Calais.

Among those arrested is a family of three Romanians confirmed to be on the train.

A spokeswoman from Kent Police said another 15 to 17 suspected illegal immigrants who may have been on board the train had also been detained.

It is unbelievable the risks they put themselves through

Chief supt David Hatcher

The arrests followed an extensive search of Kent countryside.

Just a few hours later, at 2330 GMT, 14 more illegal immigrants jumped off a newly-arrived train from Milan at the Dollands Moor yard. One person was detained.

The incidents have led to concern about safety in the tunnel for drivers and increasingly daring illegal immigrants who cling to the sides and buffers of trains.

EWS said the solution was better security at the yard near Calais where it is believed the immigrants stowed aboard the train.

He said security guards should patrol the SNCF-owned yard at Frethun to keep out people who are desperate to reach Britain.

British Transport Police chief superintendent David Hatcher said: "It is unbelievable the risks they put themselves through.

'Desperate measures'

"We are hoping members of the public will report the others lurking around roads and motorways in Kent."

In all, 1,500 illegal immigrants have been found by BTP on the English side of the tunnel in the last year.

Although there have as yet been no fatalities in the English side, some people have had their fingers sliced off and there have been deaths on the French side, said Mr Hatcher.

"This is a worrying trend. They seem to be taking more desperate measures, riding on buffers, holding on to the train wherever they think they can cling.

"Safety is our first concern."

Temporary repairs were made to the train on Sunday so it could move to EWS's Dollands Moor yard a mile away.